Member Article

The Dragonfly Ball Returns for 2023

It’s the final countdown as The Dragonfly Ball prepares to take flight this week when the popular fundraiser returns to Newcastle for its 11th year. As final preparations get under way the organisers have praised the support of the local business community, and in particular the collaboration and stand-out support from two companies Samuel Phillips Law and Northern Spire who have joined forces to sponsor elements of the event.

Around 250 guests are expected to descend on The Biscuit Factory on Saturday for the sell-out event and like many charities the ball is a vital source of income-generation to support their beneficiaries. The focus of the Dragonfly Cancer Trust, which has been established for 16 years, is on memory making and helping young patients to make each moment matter with their loved ones and this is done by providing Cash Gifts, keepsakes and creative therapy, through working closely with families, hospitals, and hospices across the UK supporting young cancer patients from 0-25 years old.

Jane Dennison, CEO, Dragonfly Cancer Trust said:

“The return of our Annual Ball is opportunity to raise vital funds for the charity. We are very thankful to local businesses in particular Samuel Phillips Law and Northern Spire who have supported us with vital sponsorship. This sponsorship from the onset as many event organisers will know is vital and we have loved to see how the two companies have joined forces to support the charity.

We are in awe of the generosity of businesses from across the region from raffle and auction prizes to Experience days, hotel breaks, concert tickets to meal vouchers. The funds raised from the Annual Ball are set to be a vital cash injection to support so many young cancer patients.“

Thomas Cumming, Senior Associate and Head of Litigation at Samuel Phillips Law and Trustee of the Dragonfly Cancer Trust said:

“I have been supporting the Dragonfly Cancer Trust as a trustee since January 2021. The charity fundraises for young cancer patients and their families. Last year the Dragonfly Ball raised over £25,000, and proved crucial in its contribution to the fundraising for the charity. I am very much looking forward to attending again this year, alongside my colleagues from Samuel Phillips Law who sponsor the charity, to help fundraise for such an amazing cause!

I am also thrilled to be taking part in a Sahara Trek in November in support of the charity! The Trek is 6 days long, which will no doubt be an amazing adventure and challenge. I would like to thank everyone who has donated towards this trek. We have received an amazing response and have raised over £7,000!“

The ball is a vital part of the fundraising calendar and will follow a number of successful fundraising events in 2023 from The Great North Run, the Big Give and the annual Fashion Show. With a host of events in the pipeline including the Sahara Trek 2023, Iceland Fire & Ice Trek 2024 and the Etape Loch Ness Cycle 2024.

As a charity that relies heavily on community and corporate fundraising the Dragonfly Cancer Trust is distinct in its focus on emotional support and memory making, seeking to care for families as a whole as well as individual beneficiaries, ensuring that funds raised support and have a direct impact on young cancer patients at a time when they need it the most.

Sanjeev Vadhera, Chair of Trustees, Dragonfly Cancer Trust said:

“The applications we receive never fail to move us and motivate our drive to help as many young people as possible. When young patients and their families reach out to us to get support through cash gifts and making memories it gives that young person one final bit of empowerment in their life to make memories with their loved ones.

Requests can range from a meal out with family, a cinema trip or even a weekend away with friends. These memories really matter so much to the young people and their loved ones at a very difficult time in their life.“

While cancer is very rare in children and young people, there are around 3,755 patients under the age of 25 who are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. That’s 1,645 in children (aged 0-14 years) and 2,110 in teenagers and young adults (aged 15-24 years). Around 250 children will die from cancer this year, that’s more than 4 children a week.

The team at the Dragonfly Cancer Trust work collaboratively with every Young Person’s Oncology Unit throughout the country and collaborate with hospices across the UK, together providing the best possible support for young cancer patients in the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Claire Pickersgill .