At the beginning of November 2017, over 100 members of the UK business supplies sector came together in the Lake District for the Climb of Life (COL). The reason? To raise money for the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), the largest cancer centre in Europe, which works with many international medical and research organisations with the ultimate aim of completely defeating the disease.
COL, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has for the past 11 years been fundraising for the ICR. This year’s climbers tackled 30 of England’s most challenging peaks and in the process raised more than £103,000 ($135,000) – another record-breaking amount. Long-standing COL organiser Graeme Chapman MBE said: “To have a dry – albeit very windy – day for the first time in many years was a real bonus for our trekkers. Many had travelled from all over the UK and one – Michael Morris – all the way from Chicago in the US.
To reach over £100,000 for the fourth year in succession is staggering and we achieved this thanks to the many enthusiastic climbers and fundraisers. One of these fundraisers is OPI which, again, took top spot this year for its very significant contribution.
“I feel honoured and humbled that COL is now known as the top charity event in the UK business supplies calendar. Thanks to the support from virtually every corner of the country, we have been able to up the monies raised for the 22nd year in a row.”
While it’s a UK initiative, COL now goes far beyond just the country’s OP community, as OPI CEO Steve Hilleard points out: “I am delighted that OPI was again the lead corporate fundraiser, contributing £27,614 towards the overall total. I am hugely proud of my team’s efforts, but also immensely grateful for the extraordinary and generous support that we have received from quite literally every corner of the world for this wonderful initiative.”
Making a difference
Hilleard’s words are echoed by Professor Paul Workman, CEO of the ICR, who took part in the climb with his wife Liz and received the coveted cheque at the end of a very long day for all the climbers: “On behalf of the ICR, I would like to thank all the Climb of Lifers for their support and for raising a record amount this year. What a great group!
“The funds generated by COL really make a big difference in our mission at the ICR to discover the medical advances that can defeat cancer, especially to meet our big challenge of overcoming the ability of cancers to adapt, evolve to nastier forms and become resistant to treatment. Thanks again to everyone involved. You are inspiring.”
