A cheque for £20,000 has been given to the Macmillan Renton Appeal from the proceeds of a car park to the recent Hay Festival.
The presentation took place yesterday afternoon. Our photo shows Hereford United supporters Kevin Goodwin and Thorne Addyman handing over the cheque to Sarah Grout, the regional organiser for Macmillan.
"It really is quite astonishing that over £50,000 has been raised by Bulls News for the Macmillan Renton Appeal over the 4 years that they have operated the Hay Festival Macmillan Car Park," said Sarah.
"This year’s sum of £20,000 is a wonderful tribute to the hard work and dedication that has to be invested in such a huge undertaking.
"But of course the hard work is not just for the duration of the Hay Festival itself – there are weeks of planning and preparation that go into this mammoth fundraising effort by Bulls News and in addition to the military precision of the parking logistics, there is, of course, an incredible amount of administration that goes with it too.
"This commitment is an amazing act of generosity which includes a great deal of voluntary time in its administration and we are so very grateful to the Goodwins and their army of youngsters who make this car park feasible. The young people, Hereford United supporters and friends, who marshal the car park receive a great deal of positive feedback from parking customers and in this way we proudly see that our young people are such wonderful ambassadors for Macmillan Cancer Support, taking an active role in community and charity events. The car park is often open for long hours from early morning until late at night and the organisers and attendants have to ensure consistent cover over the 11 days of the Festival as well as being prepared to be out in all weathers.
"This is no easy task, but one that is so appreciated by all and which goes a very long way to helping people affected by cancer. It is thanks to fundraising like this, that construction work on Hereford's Macmillan Renton Unit, the new state-of-the-art chemotherapy unit, will commence later this year.
"On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support I would like to pass on our many and sincere thanks to everyone involved in the smooth organisation of the Macmillan Car Park, particularly to Graham and Lyn who just get on with arrangements so willingly and with such cheerfulness. It just goes to show what can be done with a simple idea and a good deal of grit and determination."
Bulls News would like to thank various individuals and organisations for their help and support with the car park. In particular Lyndy Cooke and Rosanna Bulmer from the Hay Festival, John Thomas from the NFU Mutual, Gary James at the Nat West, Kevin Tong at accountants Thorne Widgery and Sarah Grout from the Hereford office of Macmillan Cancer Support.
And last but not least Brian, Dan C, Dan J, Leigh, Kelly, Kevin, Roger, Rosie, and Thorne - the youngsters who manned the car park.