The Development Bank of Wales , together with FW Capital, has raised £72K for its 2023/2024 charity of the year, Pancreatic Cancer UK. This is the largest total raised by the team over a 12-month period.
The team has completed a variety of activities including taking part in Endure24, the UK’s largest 24-hour ultra trail race where they covered a massive 505 miles, averaging out at 25.25 miles per person. Other achievements have included the North West team completing the 21 mile Preston Guild Wheel Walk in one day. Other fundraising activities have included staff participating in the Cardiff half-marathon and three very successful fundraising balls in Cardiff, Newcastle, and Manchester.
Mike Owen, Group Investment Director at the Development Bank, said: “This is a massive achievement and amazing news to announce we’ve raised £72K for Pancreatic Cancer UK. This is a charity very close to our hearts, and nominated by colleagues after the loss of our dear friend and colleague Elaine Yarwood who lost her brave battle with pancreatic cancer in April 2023. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts and to colleagues for enthusiastically playing their part. We passionately believe in the power of giving back to charities and making a positive impact on society. I am so proud of everyone’s work, support, and physical efforts to make this such an important and successful year of fundraising.”
“We’re also delighted to announce our new chosen charity of the year as the British Heart Foundation. We’re gearing up again to get involved in a host of team and personal activities to push ourselves once again to raise money for another very worthy charity. Plans are also underway for our charity summer balls.”
Amy Hannagan, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are beyond grateful for FW Capital for supporting our charity over the last year and raising an incredible amount of money in memory of Elaine Yarwood. It was so special to see the whole organisation come together for a common cause and achieve such an amazing outcome.
“For too long, pancreatic cancer has been overlooked, underfunded, and left behind. As a result, more than half of people still die within three months of diagnosis. Families are often left with only hope to hold on to, but we know hope isn’t enough. Action taken today can transform the future for people with pancreatic cancer. The money raised by colleagues at FW Capital will help us go above and beyond for everyone affected by the disease, bringing more support, improved detection, and more effective treatments for the deadliest common cancer.”
Adam Fletcher, Head of British Heart Foundation Cymru said: “We are delighted to have been selected by FW Capital and Development Bank of Wales as their next Charity of the Year, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our research to help save and improve lives. We look forward to working with FW and DBW to raise vital funds, which in turn, will allow us to create new treatments and discover new cures that will impact thousands of families in Wales and across the UK.”
