Fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support Conclusion
We done it, we reached the 5,000 mile target and the kind donations have surpassed the £5,500 mark. We are ecstatic that we achieved both goals in Marion’s memory.
Below is an article that the Macmillan Charity created, explaining the how and why we wanted to contribute to their vital and voluntary service.
Also we have shared some, not all, of the amazing photos people took on their journeys. A fitting tribute we think.
RIP Marion.
Thank you one and all who took part, assisted or donated. It means so much to us all.
“When the team at RPP Architects in Belfast lost their much-loved colleague, Marion McKnight to cancer this year they were moved to take on a challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Marion was a very experienced Design Technician and was also a leader in managing aspects of the practice’s business quality systems.
Marion was a very kind and caring person, always willing to share her knowledge and experience with others and always there to offer a helping hand when needed. Marion was an integral part of the office – she had a shining personality and you couldn’t help but laugh at her witty comments. Above all she was a great friend and her absence will be greatly felt by everyone at RPP.”
Marion became ill and spent time in Hospital during the COVID pandemic, when hospital visits became difficult. Her friends in work were moved to hear how Macmillan were able to step in and offer vital support to Marion and her husband Vic.
In response to Vic’s desire to acknowledge the role Macmillan played, RPP were moved to take on this challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support, the charity that supported her after her diagnosis.
Andrew Hair is Senior Architectural Technologist at RPP and said, “Marion was with the company for over 13 years. We had never experienced such a loss within our team, and we all wanted to do something positive in Marion’s memory. Something that would bring us together in spirit while we’re all working from home right now.”
While RPP have always been committed to fundraising, organising a variety of raffles, relays and coffee mornings for local charities throughout the years, Andrew says he really wanted to do something different that would keep people motivated to hit such a substantial target.
“I didn’t want people to get fed up doing the same thing over and over again. Most people enjoy a walk, run or cycle so we felt it would be great to give people the option to build up their miles, however they wanted to do it.
“We have around 40 people in the office and every single person is taking part in the challenge. I set up a Strava group so that I could log everyone’s mileage (we don’t want to miss a single mile) and I’ve also got a spreadsheet on the go which is helping to motivate, or mortify, everyone to keep their miles up!”
Like many organisations at the moment, Andrew and his colleagues are working from home and RPP Company Director, Simon Robinson says it’s been good to have an additional focus for the team outside of work priorities.
“Working from home is a big change and it can be challenging for us all in different ways. Our fundraiser is a great way to maintain our team spirit and have a tangible fundraising goal to focus on. We’re doing this for Marion, we’re doing it for Macmillan and we’re also doing it for ourselves, to keep connected and engaged in the most positive way possible during such unprecedented times.”
Jan Forrest, Head of Regional Fundraising for Macmillan in Northern Ireland and Scotland is cheering RPP on. “The team have set themselves an incredible challenge and we are so grateful that they have chosen to raise money for Macmillan in memory of Marion during this uncertain time. For people with cancer right now, these can be terrifying times; isolating at home, separated from loved ones and suddenly being told the treatment and surgery that had felt like their lifeline could be changed or postponed. We need the continued support of people in Northern Ireland to make sure that no one faces cancer alone. Please support the RPP team’s fantastic efforts and donate what you can today!”
Andrew says the response to their fundraising challenge has been very humbling. “We’ve been getting so much support and the messages on our JustGiving page are a daily reminder to keep going another mile. Just over a thousand to go but we’ll get there together!” “
The above text was written by Macmillan Cancer Support.
If you would like to support the team, visit their JustGiving page today at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rpp-architects1
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