As well as a good ol' knees-up, the aim of the Great Big Property Gig has always primarily been to raise as much money as possible for charity. The charities we support are long-standing partners of the event and are chosen in recognition of their sterling work.
The charities the Great Big Property Gig supports are:
Cancer Research UK
We are thrilled that The Great Big Property Gig is again supporting Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research and funds research into all aspects of cancer, ranging from understanding the causes and biology of the disease through to developing new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. There are over 200 different kinds of cancer and cancer research is a long and costly process. We are overwhelmingly funded by the public and without the support of The Great Big Property Gig this research simply could not take place.
We have played a leading role in many of the major breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer in the last 100 years and we continue to lead the world in finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. Thanks to Cancer Research UK, thousands of people are surviving cancer today who wouldn't have survived ten years ago.
Cancer is one of the greatest health problems facing Scotland today. Each year, over 27,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer and over 15,000 die of the disease. Last year, Cancer Research UK spent over £31m on groundbreaking research in Scotland.
We don't use the word 'breakthrough' very often but our research on the five-minute Flexi-Scope test, which will prevent thousands of deaths from bowel cancer every year, is perhaps our most important contribution in the fight against cancer last year. We're delighted that the Government has agreed that the test will become available as part of the national screening programme.
There were many other significant advances last year. To pick just one - a drug treatment called Mitoxantrone has been found to increase survival to almost 70 per cent for children whose Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) returns. The results of the trial, which was part-funded by Cancer Research UK, were so promising that now all children with relapsed ALL are being offered the drug.
Hundreds of thousands of people are alive in Britain today thanks to progress made in cancer research; Cancer Research UK relies on donations and fundraising events, as well as gifts in people's wills to fund this research. Every donation is special, and helps towards the greatest legacy we can give future generations - hope.
Remember, cancers that are found early are the most easily treated. Cancer Research UK's 'Reduce the Risk' campaign highlights five ways you can lower your cancer risk as research suggests that around half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle:
- Stop smoking
- Stay in shape
- Eat & drink healthily
- Protect yourself in the sun
- Go to your GP as soon as possible if you have any health concerns
Scottish Spina Bifida Association
Spina bifida and its associated condition, hydrocephalus, seriously affects the lives of 3,000 people of all ages in Scotland. Every year around 80 more children are affected by these conditions and will suffer life-long complex disabilities through paralysis, kidney and bladder problems and communication and cognitive impairment, caused by neurological damage. The lives of the parents and carers of those with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus are, in consequence, also seriously affected. The Scottish Spina Bifida Association is the only charity dedicated to providing advice and support for all those affected. Our Family Support Service provides specialist support and advice and assist parents with the problems that they may be facing on a daily basis. Every call to our support service is unique. Through SSBA's work many people in Scotland with spina bifida and hydrocephalus are enabled to achieve their full potential and reduce dependence on long-term external support.
In 2006 we completed building a new Scottish Family Support Centre in Cumbernauld. This state -of-the-art facility will now allow the Association to expand it's services to provide training, recreational and support services in a child friendly, wheel chair accessible environment. It has also been uniquely equipped with a Tele-medicine suite, which will help improve the service that the Association can provide to families throughout Scotland.
On the 22nd November 2006 the Association's honorary patron, Gordon Ramsay OBE, officially opened the Centre and launched a new Appeal "What's your favourite F Word? Gordon's is fundraising!" This Appeal will help raise the £850,000 that will be required to run the new support Centre on an annual basis. The Association currently receives £30k statutory funding and relies on the generosity of the public and corporate supporters to ensure that we can continue to help everyone who needs assistance.
We are extremely grateful to the Great Big Property Gig and everyone in the property sector for their continued support in 2011. Join the Great Big Property Gig and make Fundraising your favourite F word!
visit the website
