West Midlands Metro has embraced a much-loved charity and voted for it to become the ‘official’ beneficiary of their team’s fundraising efforts in 2021.

Their support for Cancer Research UK got off to a flying start with a raffle that raised £300 for the organisation that means so much to so many people.

Vicki Bennett, Metro Customer Service Manager, explained: “With an estimated one in two people expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point, the disease has had an impact on the lives of many of our employees and their families, as it has on many of our customers.

“Our team frequently raises money for worthy causes that benefit the communities we serve, and this year they decided to concentrate their efforts on a charity that everyone could relate to. In an employee poll carried out a few weeks ago on World Cancer Day, Cancer Research UK received wide support and is now the ‘official’ Metro charity for 2021.”

As the world’s leading independent cancer charity, Cancer Research UK is dedicated to saving lives by discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of cancer-related illnesses.

Over the coming months, staff from Midland Metro Limited, the operator of West Midland Metro, will be staging a series of events inviting colleagues and customers to support the charity.

“It’s hard to think of a more worthy cause, and this is reflected in the fantastic response to our first fundraiser from kind-hearted colleagues,” Vicki added.

Alex Parkinson, Relationship Executive from Cancer Research UK said ““Everyone at Cancer Research UK would like to send a giant heartfelt thank you to West Midlands Metro for choosing us as their Charity of the Year for 2021. Covid-19 has caused a devastating loss of research funding so we’re incredibly grateful for support from businesses such as this one.

“The dedication and commitment of supporters like West Midlands Metro will help us to carry on our life-saving work and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Thanks to research, two in four people now survive their cancer for at least ten years. Our ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, thee in four people will survive their cancer.”