Cure Leukaemia News

Stop Press! Last Few Tickets Remaining for Glynn Purnell Experience!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

There are just a few tickets remaining for our brand new exclusive�Glynn Purnell Experience to be held at Warwickshire County Cricket Club on Monday 5th March 2012. Glynn Purnell, proprietor and Michelin Starred Head Chef at Purnell�s Restaurant, will be demonstrating his fantastic culinary skills in a live cooking event with assistance from Warwickshire�s Head Chef, Dave Hill along with Patron Ashley Giles and Captain Jim Troughton. Welcome drinks will be served at 6.30pm, followed by dinner prepared by Glynn, Dave and their team of Commis Chefs with a question and answer opportunity between each course. Your fantastic VIP package includes: Hosted by Phil Upton, of Radio West Midlands Welcome Drinks 4 Course Meal Q&A Sessions Executive Gift Raffle Ticket Priced at �150.00 per person, get your tickets now to ensure you don't miss out on an evening to remember! To Book: Contact Ruth on 0121 371 4367 or email info@cureleukaemia.co.uk.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

CAN YOU SPARE AN HOUR AT LUNCHTIME ON TUESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY? To mark the launch of the partnership between the charity and BBC WM 95.6 FM, a world record attempt will take place at lunchtime in Victoria Square. The attempt will be to get the most people dressed as nurses in one place. This attempt will take place during the lunchtime show with Jo Malin, which will be broadcast live from Victoria Square between 1 and 1.30pm. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TURN UP FROM 12.45PM AND GET INTO YOUR UNIFORM READY FOR THE WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT AT 1.10PM. WE WILL PROVIDE THE UNIFORMS! We need as many people as possible so if you are available, bring your friends and join in the fun! If you are able to come along, please contact Jason Hornby on 0121 371 4367 or jason@cureleukaemia.co.uk for further information.

Warwickshire CCC Commercial Director James McLaughlin appointed as new CEO of Cure Leukaemia

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Birmingham based Cure Leukaemia has appointed Warwickshire County Cricket Club Commercial Director James McLaughlin as its new Chief Executive to oversee all elements of the charity’s management following almost six years at Edgbaston as Commercial Director.

James has had overall responsibility for all commercial matters during his time at Edgbaston, leading the team to multiple industry awards, including Best Integrated International Marketing Campaign and Best Use of Digital Media at ECB Annual Business in Cricket Awards 2011.

He played a key role in the Senior Management team that oversaw the £32 million redevelopment of the new Pavilion Stand at Edgbaston and securing Jaguar as a leading Club partner, with the opening of the new Jaguar Club hospitality suite. At Edgbaston’s first Test Match since the redevelopment, he led the award-winning marketing campaign, which helped attract a record attendance (for a non-Ashes year) of 93,000 across four days of play between England and India.

Commenting on his new role, James said: “I am excited and honoured to be appointed as the new Chief Executive of Cure Leukaemia. Having worked with the charity in a professional and voluntary capacity for a number of years, it’s an extremely worthy cause that’s very close to my heart and I look forward to working with the team.

“The charity’s pioneering work is giving hope to so many leukaemia patients across the Midlands by making new lifesaving treatments available. However, with more funding there is great scope to expand its reach across the whole of the country.”

Cure Leukaemia funds research nurses at hospitals across the Midlands to deliver lifesaving treatments to patients that they would not normally receive through the NHS.

Working in partnership with the charity over the last five years, in 2011 Warwickshire CCC donated £75,000 from fundraising initiatives staged at the npower Test match between England and India, which allowed it to employ three research nurses.

Ian Allen, Chairman of Cure Leukaemia, said: “We recognised the benefits of appointing someone who not only boasts an outstanding record of enhancing commercial revenues in business, but who knows the charity inside out, and James’ role as a Cure Leukaemia Trustee made him the ideal candidate.

“Along with Edgbaston Chief Executive, Colin Povey, he was instrumental in brokering the Test match partnership last year, which was the biggest single fundraising event in the charity’s history. We look forward to working with him and benefitting from his commercial experience to develop the charity over the coming years.”

Colin Povey, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC, said: “James has made a major contribution to the development of our commercial activities over recent seasons. Whilst I am disappointed to be losing him from my team I am delighted he is moving to this new position with Cure Leukemia at what is an exciting time for the charity. I am sure we will continue to see plenty of him as we further develop our partnership with Cure Leukaemia over the coming years.

“James made a significant contribution to the Club and will be remembered for delivering record crowds for the India Test Match last summer and before that the Ashes Test Match in 2009. In addition he has been instrumental in creating a raft of commercial partnerships and lasting sponsorship deals for the Club."

Upcoming Events

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

We've been busy planning our calendar of events for the next 12 months and can give you an idea of what's coming up and when. First of all is our Fun Run. We have a preliminary date of Sunday 20th May, so put that in your diaries and start limbering up. We have a Summer Cocktail Party planned for 16th June at the Ardencote Manor Hotel & Country Club. This will be a fun themed event with live entertainment. Midsummer, there will be a Curry Night at The Deedar Indian Restaurant, Barnt Green and a Karaoke and Disco at the Old Rose & Crown, Lickey. Further information to follow soon.

Job Opportunity - Chief Executive Officer

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Cure Leukaemia is a local charity based at the Haematology Centre, a Centre of Excellence in the treatment of blood cancer. Based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Cure Leukaemia was founded 6 years ago and is a well-established charity providing opportunities for critically ill patients from across the Midlands who have reached the end of current treatments offered by the NHS. Cure Leukaemia funds highly skilled drugs research nurses placed at various hospitals in the Midlands, to enable patients who have reached the end of conventional treatment on the NHS, the opportunity to take part in life saving drugs trials. We are seeking an outstanding CEO with a proven track record, who has the capability to take Cure Leukaemia forward in a way that preserves our values, culture and achievements to date. We are looking for an engaging first class leader, with professional management and interpersonal skills, with at least 5 years’ experience in a similar role. You will be confident in working collaboratively and building partnerships with stake holders, preferably with a record of introducing and developing corporate relationships and introducing new opportunities to the charity in this area. Commercially astute, you will have a grounded approach to budgets, financial growth and people management with the creative flare required to grow various fundraising streams year on year. If you believe in our vision and have the commitment and skills to be an influential leader, this is a superb opportunity to make a real difference. This role requires significant experience at a senior level. To apply: In the first instance please forward your CV and covering letter to Jackie Kelly at Jackie@cureleukaemia.co.uk Closing Date: 22nd December 2011.

Support England, Support Cure Leukaemia!

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Test Match tickets have now gone on sale at Edgbaston for the England v West Indies clash starting 7th June 2012 and Warwickshire County Cricket Club are offering a discount on the ticket prices for Cure Leukaemia supporters. Just contact Lynn Ruddy or Eileen Dinsmore directly at Edgbaston on 0121 446 3640 and quote the code CL2012 to receive £5 off Day 1 tickets and £10 off Days 2 and 3. This discount is available until 31st December so makes an ideal Chirstmas Present! Also book your tickets now and you will get the opportunity to donate £2.00 to Cure Leukaemia from every ticket purchased!

Thank you's

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Our new friends at thestudio on Cannon Street, Birmingham put on an excellent event for us last night to help us say a huge thank you to some of our supporters. We had a very pleasant few hours in their Atrium bar, which can only be described as a hidden gem. Last night was great. We had staff, trustees, volunteers, fundraisers and nurses each with their own reasons as to why they support the work of the clinic and every one was a pleasure to talk to. Thank you all for attending and we look forward to seeing you their at the next one!

Christmas Ball

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you still haven't booked your tickets for the Christmas Ball and weren't sure whether to come or not. Just check out the entertainment that you could be missing out on. Detroit Soul are the UKs hottest soul act and a regular feature at Jools Hollands Jam House

Warwickshire Stumps Up For Three Lifesaving Research Nurses

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Warwickshire County Cricket Club has boosted the lifesaving work of Birmingham-based blood cancer charity, Cure Leukaemia, after donating funds to employ a further three research nurses to deliver its pioneering treatments at hospitals across the Midlands.

Cure Leukaemia funds treatments for patients that are not normally available on the NHS, and the three nurses have been funded by the club’s £75,000 donation from ticket revenues generated at the third npower Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston.

Colin Povey, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “We’ve been a longstanding supporter of Cure Leukaemia because it invests every pound that it generates directly into saving the lives of patients.

“Over the course of our six-year partnership we’ve seen the charity take great strides forward, including the opening of a new world-class research and treatment centre at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Many of its patients may not be here today without the great work of the charity and its supporters.”

The partnership between Warwickshire and Cure Leukaemia started in 2005 when the club’s Director of Cricket, Ashley Giles, nominated it as a charity for his benefit year. The Club has since gone on to create a playing shirt in the charity’s honour, has staged numerous fundraising drives at its domestic fixtures and is hosting this year’s Cure Leukaemia Christmas Ball in its new banqueting suite.

Professor Charlie Craddock, Founder of Cure Leukaemia and a Clinical Haematologist, said: “This single donation from Warwickshire CCC is the biggest in Cure Leukaemia’s history and we’re very grateful to the Club’s staff, players and supporters for their fantastic efforts and generosity.

“The lifesaving treatments that Cure Leukaemia funds are rarely available through the NHS and can only be delivered at hospitals where a research nurse is present. However, more nurses provides the ability to deliver the treatments more widely across the Midlands and hopefully save even more lives.”

Glynn Purnell Experience- Tickets now available!

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

You’ve seen TV’s popular Saturday Kitchen, now it’s our turn! Cure Leukaemia would like to invite you to join us for an exclusive evening of fabulous cuisine at our Glynn Purnell Experience on Monday 5th March 2012, to be held in the brand new Jaguar Club at Warwickshire County Cricket Ground. Glynn Purnell, proprietor and Michelin Starred Head Chef at Purnell’s Restaurant, will be demonstrating his fantastic culinary skills in a live cooking event with assistance from Warwickshire’s Head Chef, Dave Hill along with Patron Ashley Giles and Captain Jim Troughton. Welcome drinks will be served at 6.30pm, followed by dinner prepared by Glynn, Dave and their team of Commis Chefs with a question and answer opportunity between each course. Your fantastic VIP package includes: Hosted by Phil Upton, of Radio West Midlands Welcome Drinks 4 Course Meal Q&A Sessions Executive Gift Raffle Ticket Priced at £150.00 per person and with just 100 places available, this promises to be an evening to remember! To Book: Contact Ruth on 0121 371 4367 or email info@cureleukaemia.co.uk.

Testimonial

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

James McLaughlin, Commercial Director of Warwickshire County Cricket Club Cure Leukaemia instantly stood out to us at Edgbaston on two fronts; it’s Birmingham based and it invests every pound that it generates directly into saving the lives of patients suffering with the disease. Whilst there are many great causes out there, this unique lifesaving work so close to our own doorstep made us even more determined to help. With this in mind we started working with Professor Charlie Craddock and the Cure Leukaemia team in 2005, when Ashley Giles nominated it as one of the charities for his Benefit Year with the Club. But the partnership has gone from strength-to-strength and we’re very proud to have played such a key role in contributing to the charity’s great work. Since Ashley’s nomination, we’ve seen Cure Leukaemia expand its network of research nurses more widely across the Midlands, and the team has moved into a world-class research and development centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. During this time we’ve hosted several Christmas balls, staged numerous fundraising days at domestic Warwickshire fixtures and even created a special One-Day coloured kit in the charity’s honour. However, the £75,000 fundraising drive at last summer’s Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston has proved to be the highlight of our partnership to date. The Test Match initiative saw the club donate £2 from every ticket sold from Day 1 to Cure Leukaemia. Additionally, more than 5,000 red t-shirts were given away to spectators to turn our iconic Eric Hollies Stand into a sea of red as the England and India players walked out on to the field of play. This activity alone will help Cure Leukaemia fund an additional three research nurses and increases the number of patients who can benefit from the charity’s pioneering treatments, which aren’t widely available on the NHS. I have recently become a Trustee of this wonderful charity, which is a great honour, and I look forward to helping play a part in Cure Leukaemia saving even more lives in the years to come.

The Cherries are supporting Cure Leukaemia with Movember....

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health. So the boys at Clevercherry; the clever people who manage our website, plan to do just that by growing their moustaches in aid of Cure Leukaemia. If you would like to sponsor them in this hairy task, please text TASH01 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 to donate now. For further info on the boys and to see their progress click here.

Harpal and Jason raise �13,000......

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

On 30th September Harpal and Jason raised an amazing £13,000 at their 'Beat It' event. This is an incredible amount and we cannot thank them enough for their support. The evening was buzzing with a Michael Jackson Tribute Band, a Magaician and a few words from Professor Charlie Craddock. The 450 people that had attended gave generously and learnt about the importance of Cure Leukaemia's work. Thank you to everyone who helped organise such a fantastic event and we are truly grateful for everything that Harpal and Jason have done!! All money raised on the evening will go towards the funding of a Research Nurse.

A new team member

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We are very pleased in the office to announce the arrival of a new team member. Ruth Saunders joins us from Warwickshire County Cricket Club and is our new Events and Fundraising Manager. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the events industry and she is eager to get started. In addition to her work skills Ruth is also a keen member of her local amateur theatre group, Centre Stage. “I love it. It allows me to be somebody else for a few hours a week and I enjoy the buzz of performing in front of hundreds of people” she says. One of Ruth’s personal projects is also Events based – she is organising her wedding to fiancé Jason. They are to be wed later this year.

Beat It! - Friday 30th September

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A night of entertainment at the Albany Suite, Holiday Inn (City Centre), Smallbrook Queensway B5 4EW.

Organised by community fundraisers Jason & Harpal Mall, the event will see entertainment from Mani-Hype DJ, Balwinder Bhatti, Foji and a special Michael Jackson Tribute.

A 3 course meal will be provided and the night will also have a prize raffle and a live auction.

Prices - Adult (12+) £25, Child (3-11) £10, Family (2adults & 2children) £65

To book tickets for this event please contact the organisers on 07977 535838 or 07894 349018

Christmas Ball Bookings Now being taken

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Christmas Ball bookings are now being taken. Join us on December 3rd at the Banqueting Suite of the newly refurbished Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Our VIP evening will start at 6.30pm with a Champagne reception, followed by a exquisite 4 course dinner in the fabulous new banqueting suite. We will have some dazzling entertainment as well as the opportunity to bid on some exciting auction items, before dancing the night away. One of our guests will also be making a special visit from the North Pole! Download a booking form now or contact us on 0121 371 4367

Digital imaging services helps Cure Leukaemia....

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Local company lends its support to Cure Leukaemia
Digital Imaging Services helps Midlands’ blood cancer charity turn the iconic Eric Hollies into the Cure Leukaemia stand on day one of the third npower Test Match at Edgbaston

Midlands based Digital Imaging Services has given its support to Cure Leukaemia, as the charity embarks on its biggest fundraising initiative to date with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

Digital Imaging Services has provided the local blood cancer with signage to brand the steps of the iconic Eric Hollies stand, as it becomes the Cure Leukaemia stand on day one (10th August) of the third npower Test Match between England and India, at the redeveloped Edgbaston ground. England and India fans seated in the stand will receive a free red T-shirt, designed by 11-year old Lucas Pfister of Baverstock School and Sports College in Kings Heath, to help turn the stand red in support of the charity.

Warwickshire, who have donated £2 from each ticket sold for the Test Match at Edgbaston to Cure Leukaemia, are hoping that the match’s opening day will push fundraising past their £75,000 target. The initiative is a part of a three-year partnership between Warwickshire and Cure Leukaemia, which caps a long standing relationship between the charity and the Bears. Ashley Giles, the Club’s Director of Cricket and former England spinner, has been a Patron of the charity for several years, while Commercial Director, James McLaughlin, is also a Trustee.

Commenting, John Roberts, National Account Manager at Digital Imaging Services, said: “We’re delighted to lend our support. When we heard about the plans for day one of the Test Match, we knew we could help turn the Eric Hollies into the Cure Leukaemia stand – I can’t wait to see all those fans with their red t-shirts on, it’ll be a sight to behold!”

Jackie Kelly, General Manager at Cure Leukaemia added: “We’re extremely grateful to John and his team. This is one of our biggest fundraising programmes to date – we’re very excited and its support like this that really helps turn these big ideas into a reality.”

During all days of the Test Match there will be bucket collections around the ground and a text to donate number, which is also open to the general public. It is hoped that Midlands’ cricket lovers will support a charity which is very much part of their local landscape, by simply texting “TEST11 £2” to 70070.

To find out more about Cure Leukaemia and get involved in future fundraising initiatives, please contact a member of the team on 0121 371 4367 or email info@cureleukaemia.co.uk

England Skipper Backs Warwickshire�s Campaign To Hit Leukaemia For Six

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

4 August 2011 England Skipper Backs Warwickshire’s Campaign To Hit Leukaemia For Six Warwickshire’s partnership with Cure Leukaemia passes the £50,000 raised milestone In the entire history of the game of cricket, only seven batsmen have made more than 50,000 first-class runs, but for Warwickshire CCC the figure has recently gained added significance. Although the current Bears squad are too young to remember cricketing legends like WG Grace and Wally Hammond, they are extremely proud that their club’s pioneering partnership with Cure Leukaemia has now raised £50,000 during 2011. Warwickshire’s efforts have been further boosted by the support of the England team, of which Bears’ stars Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott are key components. Commenting on the initiative, England skipper Andrew Strauss said: “The fact that Cure Leukaemia is saving lives, and giving hope to so many patients, makes it an invaluable cause that all members of the England team are keen to support through our Test at Edgbaston against India. “The £75,000 fundraising target is a great initiative from Warwickshire. I hope that the thousands of England and India fans in attendance at Edgbaston, and watching on television around the world, can support this, and make it a truly special occasion for the charity and its staff who deliver these pioneering treatments.” Warwickshire, who have donated £2 from each ticket sold to the Birmingham-based blood cancer charity, are hoping that the match’s opening day, on Wednesday August 10th, will push fundraising past their £75,000 target. As well as being the first international occasion in the Bears’ superb redeveloped stadium, Wednesday August 10th has been designated “Cure Leukaemia Day.” Everyone in the iconic Eric Hollies Stand, which has been renamed “The Cure Leukaemia Stand” for the day, will receive a free red T-shirt, designed by 11-year old Lucas Pfister of Baverstock School and Sports College in Kings Heath, to help turn the stand red. There will also be bucket collections around the ground and a text to donate number, which is also open to the general public. It is hoped that Midlands’ cricket lovers will support a charity which is very much part of their local landscape, by simply texting “TEST11 £2” to 70070. To find out more about Cure Leukaemia and get involved in future fundraising initiatives, please contact a member of the team on 0121 371 4367 or email info@cureleukaemia.co.uk

Winning T-shirt design to help paint the Eric Hollies stand red for Cure Leukaemia Day

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Eleven year old Lucas Pfister, will see his winning t-shirt design throughout the ground on Day 1 of the Third npower Test Match as they are given out to fans in the Cure Leukaemia stand Thousands of fans will display the winning design to support Cure Leukaemia on the first day of the Third npower Test Match between England and India. Lucas Pfister, an eleven year old from Baverstock School and Sports College in Kings Heath, has won the Warwickshire CCC and Cure Leukaemia schools T-shirt design competition entered by a variety of midlands schools. Lucas will see his design worn on thousands of red t-shirts on Day 1 (10th August) of the Third npower Test Match between England and India, as they are given out to fans in the iconic Eric Hollies stand for Cure Leukaemia Day. Lucas wins a Warwickshire Lifetime International Ticket and 20 tickets for Day 1 for his school. Runner up, eleven year old, Holly Heaton from Brookhurst Primary School in Leamington Spa, wins a Grizzles membership until the age of 16, and a family day ticket with 20 additional tickets for her school for the Cure Leukaemia Day (Day 1). The Cure Leukaemia Day will see supporters and volunteers adopting the charity’s colour red, with collection buckets and mobile phone competitions to help raise money on the day. The Eric Hollies stand will be renamed the Cure Leukaemia Stand for the day, and all spectators in this stand will receive the red t-shirt designed by Lucas to wear in honour of the charity. Having staged activity for the charity since 2005, this year the Bears aim to raise £75,000 for Cure Leukaemia by donating £2 from every ticket sold for the Third npower Test Match. Cure Leukaemia, based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology (also known as The Leukaemia Centre), at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, undertakes world-class research into cures for the disease and employs 15 research nurses to administer treatments at hospitals across the Midlands. The £75,000 Edgbaston hopes to raise and donate would enable the charity to employ three further research nurses, allowing potentially life saving treatment to be administered to leukaemia sufferers. Ashley Giles, Patron of Cure Leukaemia and Director of Cricket at Warwickshire said: “Cure Leukaemia Day is going to be tremendous for the charity – a unique opportunity to dramatically increase awareness of this disease and the pioneering work done at the Leukaemia Centre here in Birmingham to find a cure. “We hope England and Warwickshire fans in the Cure Leukaemia Stand will get behind us, don their T-shirts with Lucas’ brilliant design, and help spread the message that with more money, we could get closer to a cure for leukaemia.”

Glynn Purnell supports Cure Leukaemia....

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Celebrity chef Glynn helps celebrate charity milestone Generous workers dished up a treat for Michelin-starred celebrity chef Glynn Purnell when he helped a West Midlands company celebrate a magnificent milestone achievement. Birmingham-based Pertemps People Development Group chose to make a £1500 donation to Cure Leukaemia in recognition of staff giving £150,000 back to local causes through its Payroll Giving scheme. Cure Leukaemia chief executive Ian Allen was on hand to accept the donation on behalf of the charity which is the dedicated charitable recipient of Purnell’s Restaurant. PPDG chief executive Steve King said it demonstrated just how generous its employees were in supporting people less fortunate. “We established the programme at the end of 2004 and to date have helped in excess of 350 different charities and good causes,” he said. “Our company ethos is all about supporting our communities. This is a huge amount which has made a significant difference to people’s lives.” Glynn said: “It is a fantastic achievement to reach such a magnificent milestone. I am honoured to be involved and chuffed to bits that Cure Leukaemia, a charity really close to my heart, will receive a donation as a result of this marvelous scheme.” Receiving the donation on behalf of Cure Leukaemia Ian Allen said: “Congratulations must be due to those staff who give so generously each month. The donation not only marks a milestone, it will be used effectively to help fund a trials nurse enabling us to offer lifesaving treatment to patients. This donation will help save someone’s life.” The company’s Payroll Giving scheme has been recognised by the Institute of Fundraising as being one of the best in the UK. Success has been achieved by making numerous small and local donations to a variety of causes each one nominated by a member of the scheme. In 2011 the organisation was designated as the fourth best company to work for in the Sunday Times Best Companies listing.