Staff from Warburtons bakery in Stockton donated their time along with bags of tasty products to help raise much-needed funds for a charity which launched in Middlesbrough 50 years ago and is now active throughout the UK.
Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research hosted a 5 mile fundraising 'Forget Me Not Walk' in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough. Up to 100 people took part and Warburtons staff exchanged goody bags containing fresh crumpets, fruit loaves and other delicious treats to participants and spectators in exchange for a voluntary donation.
The charity, which originated in Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, is the only UK charity dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for blood cancers. It celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and was founded by Sylvia Gaunt and her family after she lost her sister Susan Eastwood, aged six to Leukaemia.
Warburtons became involved after Julie White, health and safety manager at Stockton bakery, met Sylvia at a local event. Julie explains: "Warburtons is a family company and is dedicated to helping the communities in which we operate. When I told our community champion about The Forget Me Not Walk it was clear everyone at the bakery was keen to help such a worthy cause.
"We managed to raise over £590 in total. The company donated £200 and on the day we successfully generated over £390 through the goody bag donations, which will help towards life-saving research into blood cancers, diagnosis and increasing survival rates.
"Sylvia and her family are an inspiration to us all. As a charity which started at a local level, it has developed nationwide and is a credit to the Eastwood's continued dedication towards helping individuals and families affected by this type of disease."
Speaking on behalf of the charity, Sylvia Guant said: "This year marks Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research's 50th anniversary and we aim to raise £50,000 in the North East to celebrate it. The staff at the Stockton bakery have been incredibly supportive and we can't thank them enough for the funds they've raised. We've come a long way in 50 years and we want to keep going and help as many people as we can along the way."
Warburtons gives away thousands of pounds to charities and other good causes every year in the North East. To find out more about Warburtons and get details on how to get in touch with the Community Fund visit www.warburtons.co.uk