Fundraiser Paula Richards, a staff member of the Oncology Unit at Royal United Hospital in Bath, will take on a once in a lifetime challenge trekking the Great Wall of China to raise vital funds for The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign.
She is now well on her way and has surpassed her initial fundraising target after receiving an incredibly kind donation of £2,300 from Paul Pang and the members of the Rotary Club of Frome.
Paula Richards has been working hard to raise as much as possible for her local hospital and place of work and this donation really adds the icing on the cake. She said, “When I signed up for the trek, the thought of raising such a large amount of money way very daunting for me. However as soon as I started I have received such amazing support from my work colleagues and the patients in Oncology.
“When Mr Pang got involved I was so overwhelmed with the Rotary and his community’s generosity. I cannot thank him enough. I am now able to concentrate on the training needed for the physical challenge ahead.”
Departing in September 2014, Paula and 15 other RUH trekkers will take part in this unforgettable journey along The Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This trek is extremely demanding but also incredibly rewarding and promises to be the challenge of a lifetime. Paula will be walking between three and seven hours a day and will really get a taste of adventure.
The Appeal is the fundraising charity for the Royal United Hospital in Bath, currently focused on the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, raising £8.5 million towards a pioneering Cancer Centre. This new Centre will transform the care for patients and their families affected by this life changing diagnosis.
The hospital is planning on replacing all the outdated 1940s cancer facilities, with a state-of-the-art £23.5 million Cancer Centre fit for purpose that will bring treatment ‘under one roof’. It will take a holistic approach, that will provide a soothing and relaxing environment for patients and their families that will transform the patient experience.
Member of Rotary Club of Frome, Paul Pang said, “We are passionate about this local cause and wanted to support Paula with her challenge of a life-time.
“I first heard of Paula’s challenge, during my visits to the Oncology Unit as a patient. She expressed to me her passion and vision for this new Cancer Centre that her and her colleagues will be working in. I knew I shared the same passion for the cause and felt I needed to help her in some way.
“With thanks to The Rotary Club of Frome members and all my neighbours and friends in the village of Beckington, together we were able to donate £2,300 towards Paula’s fundraising target.
“As a patient who has received excellent treatment for lung cancer and prostate cancer, from all the incredible doctors and nurses, I truly believe a new Cancer Centre would make a huge difference to so many lives around us.
“I know what it feels like to experience treatment in a building which does not compliment the excellent work of the staff, neither does it brighten up a patient’s day or make us feel comfortable, welcomed or special in such old, shabby buildings.
“I want to help build this Cancer Centre for others around me, I have met some inspirational cancer survivors in my home town of Frome and I believe it is our efforts which will make this new Cancer Centre a specialist building we all deserve.”
To support Paula’s fundraising efforts please visit: www.justgiving.com/Paula-Richards1
