The South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce has raised more than £4,000 for Prostate Cymru after showing their support for the charity for the past two years.
Prostate Cymru first became the Chambers’ annual chosen charity partner in May 2018, which was extended for another year to May 2020.
During this time South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce have been active in helping Prostate Cymru raise awareness about the important issues surrounding prostate related diseases, including raising the charity’s profile at a number of prestigious Chamber events such as the Welsh Business Awards, or taking part in a number of Prostate Cymru events such as The Big Walk, where Chamber staff raised funds by walking 26-miles from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to Kenfig Hill Rugby Club.
Speaking about the partnership South Wales Chamber CEO, Heather Myers said, “We work with many businesses for whom corporate social responsibility is a vital part of their business thinking, as it is ours. We have a strong audience of civic minded employers who are happy to give back to Wales.
“Working with Prostate Cymru, we quickly recognised the support they give to whole families in dealing with a cancer diagnosis, and just how important it is to recognise the signs of prostate cancer early. We are so pleased to have played our part in raising awareness and fundraising for this vital Welsh charity.”
Prostate Cymru’s Chief Executive, Tina Tew, said, “We are grateful for South Wales Chamber’s support during the last two years. In addition to the funds raised, they have encouraged partnerships and collaborations amongst their members, which, via their regular networking events, has broadened the opportunity to promote awareness of prostate disease and the risk of prostate cancer. We value the benefits offered by South Wales Chamber and will certainly retain our membership to build on the connections already made.”
The partnership between Prostate Cymru and SWCC was especially rewarding for one of the Chambers’ board members, Liz Maher, who has experience dealing with family members who have been diagnosed with prostate diseases.
Liz Maher, Director for Centurion VAT and South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce board member, said: “With a husband that has survived prostate cancer, a brother-in-law who died from it and two sons in their 20’s, the threat of prostate cancer and the challenge of effective treatments is a cause close to my heart.”
This year, Liz and her husband Alan will be attempting the ‘Big Walk’ for the third year in a row, but in a virtual format and instead completing two 13-mile treks from their house in Usk Valley and walking along local roads.
Liz added: “This year we will be #TogetherInSpirt. It has been great to walk with Chamber team members during the Big Walk and we will miss their company but it’s such an important cause you just want to try to make a small difference where you can. The Prostate Cymru team do such a great job in breaking down the barriers to get men talking about their personal health – that alone helps with the early recognition of the disease and treatment. So, we’ll be out there in July walking away to help #SavetheMalesinWales.”
Prostate Cymru is the leading prostate health charity in Wales supporting men with benign prostate disease and prostate cancer. The charity aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer and prostate diseases while also funding research and innovation, supporting the education of medical professionals and supporting treatment improving equipment used for prostate diseases.
Prostate Cymru has no national or government funding, therefore the charity relies on the kindness and generosity of fundraisers and volunteers to fulfil their core aims of raising awareness, supporting treatments, and funding research and innovation for prostate disease across Wales.
Partnerships with businesses like South and Mid Wales Chambers help the charity raise awareness to a larger audience, resulting in expanding awareness talks to more businesses and companies than ever before.
For more information about corporate partnerships with Prostate Cymru please click HERE.
To support and donate to Liz and Alan Maher’s Big Walk, please click the link here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elizabeth-Maher