Exercise enthusiasts are being encouraged to enter a special fundraising day taking place this Sunday 26^th February at the Virgin Active Club in Parrs Wood.

There will be events and activities for all the family including a 12 hour 'spin-a-thon' challenge as well as a number of other sponsored exercise classes throughout the day. 

The fundraiser is being held in memory of Alex Hall, who sadly died after a battle with cervical cancer in November 2003 aged just 38. Her parents Patricia and Louis Kushnick OBE and their family and friends have been raising money for The Christie where she was treated ever since. To date over £200,000 has been raised for the leading cancer centre.

Louis, 73, said; "We want to get as many people as possible to sign up to this new challenge and raise much needed funds. It's just £5 to sign up for a slot in the spin-a-thon and the exercise classes will also be £5 each. All proceeds will go directly to The Christie.

"There will also be a raffle with amazing prizes up for grabs and lots of lovely food and drink."

Money raised from the event will  go to the Alex Hall Art Fund at The Christie which the family set up.  Over the years their efforts have helped finance a wide range of initiatives to help cancer sufferers. These include transforming a rundown waiting room into a relaxing haven for patients; pay for rehabilitation services such as massage, exercise and beauty therapy; and fund Christie art projects and classes. The Art Room currently has an exhibition at Turner's Art Store on Wellington Road, Stockport, of paintings for sale done by patients, carers, relatives, volunteers and staff. This exhibition continues until 17 March, Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm.

Louis added; "The art classes are so important for both patients and relatives alike as they help them take their mind off what's going on. My wife Patricia found them particularly helpful after the death of our daughter.

"Not a day goes by that we don't think about and miss Alex - she was our world. But we take comfort in the fact her legacy lives on through our fundraising as we're doing what she would have wanted."

Register your place in the fundraising day by visiting the reception at Virgin Active on Wilmslow Road or contact sporting events officer Rowena Finn at The Christie Charity on 0161 446 3400

The unique initiative, which is being run by The Christie, is being funded by Macmillan Cancer Support for three years, after the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network secured the funding.  It aims to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast, bowel and lung cancer across the three areas of Greater Manchester.

The project will seek out willing volunteers who can engage with their local communities and help spread key simple messages about cancer and the importance of visiting their GP if they notice a change to their body.

Dr Chris Harrison, executive medical director at The Christie, said:

"Early diagnosis cannot only increase chances of survival, but can often mean less invasive treatment and less disruption to a patient and their family's lives.  With all of our day to day demands in life, it is so easy to dismiss changes to our bodies as simply nothing to worry about.  However, it is fundamental that people be clear and get it checked out with a GP."

Julie Atkin-Ward, development manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, added:

"There is such an enormous need for a project like this.  In the UK, two million people are affected by cancer; by 2030 this will increase to four million." 

The new project hopes that 6,000 interventions will be carried out for each of the three geographical areas over the entire three year period.

Julie continues:

"To volunteer with us, you do not need to be a cancer expert - you simply need to have the desire to chat to people, hand out leaflets, attend events and generally just be involved.  We will provide all the training you need, so we'd love to hear from people who are interested in hearing more."

To get in touch with the project team, please contact:

• Rachel Murphy for Salford - 07887 452 549 or rachel.murphy@Christie.nhs.Uk
• Alice Munby for Manchester -07887 452 548 or alice.munby@christie.nhs.uk
• Oliver Barnes for Tameside/Glossop - 07887 452 556 or oliver.barnes@christie.nhs.uk

Notes to editors

 Media contact - For more information, photos or interviews, please contact Meg Pugh, communications manager at The Christie on 0161 446 3706 meg.pugh@christie.nhs.uk

 About the project

The Christie has been granted the three years of funding from Macmillan Cancer Support to run this Macmillan Community Cancer Awareness Project, known as let's be clear - get it checked.

The project was launched on Wednesday 15th February 2012

Each team member plans to train 30 volunteers and work with eight boroughs within each of the three geographical areas.

For more information, please visit www.macmillan.org.uk and www.christie.nhs.uk

Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network placed the funding bid for the project

Details on volunteering

 Do you want to get more involved in your community?

We are looking for volunteers to help us spread cancer awareness messages within their local communities.

How can you volunteer?

• Sign up and receive accredited health promotion training
• Talk about the signs and symptoms of cancer to people in your community
• Encourage people to visit their GP if they notice any changes to their body
• Visit community groups

 What would be like our volunteers to be?

• Are committed to improving the lives of people affected by cancer
• Have a desire to meet new people and pass on cancer awareness messages
• Are reliable, sensitive, patient and flexible

 What are the benefits for you?

• Gain accredited health promotion training
• Develop your skills and experience
• Meet new people
• Increase your confidence
• Improve the lives of people affected by cancer
• Make a difference to your community

The survey sought the views of patients who had visited the outpatients department at The Christie in May 2011.   The questions covered various aspects of care and treatment, with results reaffirming the credible reputation The Christie maintains.

The Christie came out better than other trusts across the country when patients were asked about their overall impression, scoring an impressive 9.4 out of 10.  Similarly, the Trust's clean environment and facilities were recognised with a score of 9.43.  Visitors were asked about their experience of dealing with doctors and other medical professionals, which for the Trust scored 9.36 and 9.29 respectively.

The other areas of questioning, for example, about the experience individuals had before an appointment, revealed The Christie as having a better than average performance in comparison with other trusts in England.

Chief Executive of The Christie, Caroline Shaw, says the Trust is delighted with the findings:

"What better way to know how we are doing than by asking our patients.  These findings truly reflect that we are providing our patients with quality care.

"We are well aware that nowhere is perfect however, so we regularly review and improve our services on an ongoing basis.  Congratulations to all our hard working staff who have contributed to these impressive scores.  We always endeavour to maintain high standards and aim to continually improve."

The Christie's scores are not the first recognition it has received this year - earlier this month, its Oldham centre received a Macmillan Quality Environment Award, scoring a 5 for its environment, the highest mark possible.

Cash in the Closet is a fresh new concept for the area, and is in fact the first of its kind in the UK.  In exchange for unwanted clothing, customers will be offered 50p for every kilo of clean, undamaged clothes they donate.  Customers then choose to donate anything from 10% - 100% to charity.

Since 2010, I & G Cohen has worked tirelessly with other recycling projects to raise more than £26,000 for The Christie, supporting patients as they receive treatment for cancer at its sites in Manchester, Salford and Oldham.   Cash in the Closet is the company's latest idea to draw in well-needed support from the local community. 

Amy Willis from The Christie charity is delighted with the new drop off point:

"Cash in the Closet is a really innovative idea, offering people the chance to bring their unwanted clothing to a local drop off point.  Those same individuals will also have the chance to support The Christie even further by giving the money they have made from their clothing donation straight to the charity. We really hope that this will raise a lot of money for the thousands of cancer patients we treat each year."

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centre's, treating over 40,000 patients a year.  The Christie charity helps to pay for cancer research, new facilities, high-tech equipment and extra patient services - helping cancer patients both cope with and survive cancer.

Cash in the Closet is located at 441 Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 5AF. Opening hours are Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, and Saturday 9am - 3pm. For more information please visit www.cashinthecloset.co.uk or call 0844 873 2199.

Not only will this once in a lifetime opportunity give you a chance to meet the record-breaking star, but it also helps a worthwhile cause, The Christie charity.

The highest bidder will receive two tickets for the 'Daydream Tour 2012' at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on Thursday 2^nd February 2012.  After the show, you'll be taken back stage to meet Katherine, take a photo of you together and ask her about her amazing career.

Proceeds from this auction will go The Christie charity.  The auction closes on Wednesday 1st February at 5.30pm. 

Do your bit to #kickcancer.  To bid for this outstanding prize please visit http://www.givinglots.co.uk/lots/meet-kathrine-jenkins

Follow use on twitter @TheChristie and use #christieauction

For more details please contact Ste Anderson on 0161 918 7354

The Christie charity is inviting daredevils from across the North West to zoom across the Theatre of Dreams.

The Manchester United Zip Slide glides a whopping 180m from the West Stand, giving daring fundraisers a rare view of the world-famous stadium.

The event will raise money for care of young cancer patients, such as Claire Matthews, who is taking part in the event herself.  She said:

"I was successfully treated at The Christie's Young Oncology Unit in 1999 and again in 2010.  I fully appreciate how much the staff makes living with cancer all the more bearable.  To show my thanks, I have vowed to brave the zip slide this year!"

The entry fee is just £20 and minimum sponsorship is £200, making a huge difference to young people diagnosed with cancer. 

Sign up now before all the places go! 

You can register for this event by contacting the charity on 0161 446 3400/events@christies.org or alternatively, complete a registration form here:

www.christiers.org/zipslide

All participants must be 12 years and over.  Anyone aged 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

The Christie at Oldham, which caters for individuals from Bury, Middleton, north Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Tameside, underwent an inspection earlier this week and scored the highest possible mark available.

The award is the first of its kind which assesses whether facilities meet the standards required by people living with cancer. 

Under the award, patients can expect a place that is 'welcoming and accessible to all, respects their privacy and dignity, supports their comfort and wellbeing, gives them choice and personal control, and listens to their voice'.

Kathryn Hornby, Macmillan Nurse Clinician at The Christie at Oldham, worked closely with colleagues, Julie Davies, Zoe Gale and Sian Burley to achieve this acknowledgement. 

She said: "We were so delighted with this news following our inspection.  We all work hard to ensure our patients receive world class care.  I'd like to congratulate everyone who strives to maintain the high standards we continue to set.  It is a wonderful start to the New Year."

Julie Davies, lead radiographer and departmental lead, added:

"Congratulations to all those individuals who worked on the project.  It really is a team approach, and the commitment of staff involved has been rewarded and acknowledged with this award."

In March 2009, The Christie set up online Hope Tribute Funds so that families and friends who raised money in memory of a loved one could have a place to share memories, photos and tributes.

At the same time, they also created a very special bronze tree called the Tree of Hope to give recognition to tribute funds of over £15,000. The tree was placed on the wall of one of their beautiful gardens and now displays more than 100 engraved bronze leaves in memory of past patients and supporters.  It is these supporters who have collectively raised more than £5million in memory of their loved ones.

Tribute Funds not only allow loved ones to be honoured, but gives their families an intimate way of remembering them and doing something proactive with their grief.

Angelika Wright has a leaf in honour of her late husband Paul Wright. His premature death aged only 51 was devastating for everyone that knew him but Angelika, her family and friends were at the same time determined that his memory would live on. They immediately set up a Christie Hope Tribute Fund in his honour and continued the fundraising efforts that he himself had started. Their progress has been phenomenal and all inclusive - celebrating the life of Paul and raising much needed funds for research and care at The Christie. 

Angelika, from Whaley Bridge, said: "The Tribute Fund is the perfect way to continue what Paul started.  This is how his spirit and inspiration will continue."

Lord Keith Bradley, chairman of The Christie, expressed his gratitude and admiration:"The Christie is committed to improving care and investing in research for cancer patients in the North West. The generosity of our supporters never ceases to amaze me, particularly in such a difficult economic climate. The love and commitment of the families honoured on our Tree of Hope is wonderful and inspiring to us all."

All supporters who give in memory of a loved one can set up a tribute fund in their memory, which can grow over time.  If you would like to give in memory of your loved one and start a Hope Tribute Fund supporting The Christie visit www.christies.org/hopefunds or call 0161 446 3988.

Long term charity partner Scapa

Chief Executive of Scapa, Heejae Chae, is also keen to support the young patients, and this Christmas was no exception. Carol, Isabelle and Irina from Scapa played Santa for the morning donating scarves, gloves, hats, perfume, aftershave and chocolates as well as an Xbox Connect with four controls and a range of games so all of our young patients can enjoy it together.

Youth Support Worker Lorraine Wright works on the unit and knew exactly what each patients would enjoy, "the Xbox Connect is a wonderful gift and is something our patients have wanted for a long time, we really appreciate the amazing range of gifts Scapa have donated".

Scapa have been supporting The Christie through out 2011 and have so far raised over £6,000. This incredible act of generosity is a great example of the variety of ways people can support the charity and make a real difference to the young cancer patients as they spend Christmas on the unit.

Staff from HSBC's Credit and Risk team in Salford

The HSBC team chose The Christie as their charity of the year early on in 2011 and set themselves a target of £8,000, but their enthusiasm for the charity shone through and the team raised over £13,500!

The partnership was launched by Barbara Crook who took part in a hair-raising zip slide at Old Trafford!  The whole team showed their amazing dedication and commitment throughout the year, taking part in a range of activities from the Great Manchester Run to a sponsored car wash, and from a space hopper race to a treasure hunt! 

The Credit and Risk team was motivated by an inspiring charities committee led by Sue Taylor and Nick MacDona. Their regular communication with staff helped to make this partnership a true success for both HSBC and The Christie.

The final amount raised by the team comes to a fantastic £13,627.94.  This money will be used to develop the services we offer to teenagers and young adults here at The Christie. 

Amy Willis from The Christie charity attended the cheque presentation and thanked staff personally for their support, "HSBC have been an inspirational charity partner throughout 2011 and I am thrilled that they have exceeded their fundraising target. During 2012 we will be developing a state of the art facility to provide for the medical and social needs of our young patients as well as increasing research into teenage specific cancers, and so the money raised by staff at HSBC will help turn our plans into reality."

Well done to everyone at HSBC Credit and Risk, we've really enjoyed you being part of Team Christie!