A charity dedicated to supporting families facing a child with cancer will benefit from all the fundraising activity of a leading regional housebuilder throughout 2015.
Niamh’s Next Step has been selected as a nominated charity for Persimmon Midlands, and will be the focus of the company’s employee events all year.
The charity supports families affected by neuroblastoma and raises money to fund vital research and education programmes into this aggressive disease.
Richard Oldroyd, managing director of Persimmon Midlands, said: “Niamh’s Next Step was formed in memory of a beautiful five-year-old who was one of the 100 children to be diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the UK each year.
“As many of us are parents, we were moved by Niamh’s story, and the commitment of her loved ones to support other families facing this aggressive childhood cancer.
“We have pledged to make Niamh’s Next Step the focus of our corporate and employee fundraising for 2015, and the first activity planned will see our senior project manager, Paul Carvey, undertaking the Brighton Marathon in April.”
Paul added: “This is my first marathon and I am extremely proud to be able to run it in support of Niamh’s Next Step. NNS is an amazing charity that works in memory of their daughter Niamh, to raise awareness and funds to help children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and their families.”
Anyone able to donate to Paul’s fundraising can do so via https://www.justgiving.com/
Chris Curry, Niamh’s dad, co-founder and chair of Niamh’s Next Step, said: “Niamh’s Next Step are delighted and honoured to be Persimmon Homes Midlands’ charity of the year for 2015.
“Every single penny raised for Niamh’s Next Step will go directly towards helping other families fighting the rare and aggressive childhood cancer neuroblastoma and to fund vital research into neuroblastoma which sadly receives no funding from the NHS or government at this time.
“Thank you everyone at Persimmon Homes for nominating our charity and everyone taking part in fundraising throughout the year. You can read more about Niamh’s Next Step at www.nns.org.uk “
Last year, Persimmon Homes donated £6161.88 to Medical Detection Dogs, a charity that trains specialist dogs to help detect conditions such as diabetic hypoglycaemia, severe allergic reactions and narcolepsy.