Donated money is spent on new equipment, facilities to make treatment more comfortable for both patients and carers and research into methods of managing and monitoring leukaemia and related blood diseases carried out at the hospital.
ELF launch 10th year of Challenge Walks at award ceremony.
Exeter Leukaemia Fund held it’s award ceremony for category winners of the 2008 challenge walks on Wednesday evening, 12th March, at the Haematology unit at the RD&E Hospital in Exeter.
Peter and Rosemary Fletcher from Budleigh Salterton were presented with their awards, by Dr Lee, Consultant at the Haematology Centre, for the ‘Fastest male and Fastest female over the 23 mile route D, the longest of the four walks which are held each year on Woodbury.
ELF announced the date for the tenth challenge walks - Sunday 15th June 2008 (Father's Day) - Mark Whittle, Fundraising Officer said “The Challenge walks have raised more than £50,000 over the last nine years and ELF is looking to attract the largest number of participants this year to celebrate the tenth year”
“Ten years on and it’s still the same entry charge! It’s still Only £2.50 per individual and £5.50 for a group or family. That’s got to be one of the best value for money days out in Devon, you'll also be raising money for ELF.”
Mark also thanked Clinton Devon Estates who allow ELF to hold the walks each year, and to the ongoing support of the Budleigh Lions who marshal the event, and the fantastic support of local people that have enabled raise these much needed funds to be raised.
Terry and Hazel Bound, two of the walkers who started the first challenge walks event in 1998, will again this year walk all four of the routes prior to the event to ensure that the directions are easily understood. This year the walks will be in an anticlockwise direction.
As usual there will be four routes which will offer something for almost everyone - a family friendly 3 mile route, a 7.5 mile route, a more challenging 15 mile route and for the serious walkers a 21 mile route.
The Haematology Centre, for which ELF two thirds of the funding (£1.5 million), is recognised as one of the best in Europe.
A number of special events have taken place and are being organised to celebrate 20 Years of ELF. Events will incorporate the 20 Years of ELF brand and special logo and culminate with ELF’s 21st Birthday Party in October. It is hoped that this year of celebration will raise a substantial sum which will be used to enhance patient care; refurbish the gardens at the Centre and fund new research building on the diagnostic tests already delivered which can only enhance the treatment of leukaemia and related disorders.
For more information contact ELF Office on 01392 493344 or click here to pledge a donation.