Weston Park Cancer Charity to support more than 3000 local people thanks to new ‘Big Purple Bus’ campaign

For one in two people, a cancer diagnosis will change everything and when it does Weston Park Cancer Charity offers services, advice, therapies and support to help everyone to live with and beyond cancer.

The Big Purple Bus will bring our services directly into the community for the first time ever. This crucial step will help to ensure that people across our region have equal access to cancer support services. Cancer can cause physical, emotional and financial challenges. We'll be bringing our advisers into local communities, making it easier than ever to access support.

The bus will make its first public appearance at our Walk as One event this Sunday 17 September at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield!

Thanks to our partners The National Lottery Community Fund, Westfield Health, and South Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, the campaign aims to bring more equal access to emotional, financial, and relationship support for people who have been affected by cancer – whether that be a diagnosis or as a family member.

Cat Rhone, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Weston Park Cancer Charity, said:“Our Big Purple Bus will take our support and advice into the heart of communities to ensure we keep our promise to be together at every step with local people affected by cancer.

“Our new bus means we will have a physical presence within the community which will mean an increase in awareness for minority communities who have significantly higher rates of cancer and are less likely to seek our support.

“By getting the support they need people affected by cancer will benefit from increased income, improved mental wellbeing and reduced isolation. Ultimately, people’s health, quality of life, and chances of survival will improve.

“We will also raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer with many more local people, so cancer is detected and diagnosed early.”

Joe Dobson, Head of Regional Funding for Yorkshire and Humber at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:“We’re proud that our £270,000 award, thanks to National Lottery players, is supporting this important and vital work. Raising awareness of cancer and providing harder to reach communities with better access to advice and services will help to reduce health inequalities and enable people to live healthier lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK and distributes money raised by National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million a week for good causes. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.

Members of the community have been invited to come along to the event where Weston Park Cancer Charity representatives including Chief Executive Officer Emma Clarke, Healthcare Professional Lauren Bell, Service Development and Engagement Manager Faye McDool, and Information and Support Co-ordinators Yvonne Witter and Nancy Okere will be available to talk to. Individuals who have directly been affected by cancer will also be at the event to share their stories.

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