Badminton backs Cancer Research

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

26 November 2010 15:58

Cancer Research has been chosen as the 2011 charity of the year for the prestigious Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Surgeon Mr Alex Mirnezami, research scientist Dr Jemimah Adams, cancer survivor Alice Beard, fundraisers Maria Gomez and Emily Dunn and event manager, Rebecca Leach, joined top rider William Miflin, who has battled cancer himself, at one of the most famous jumps on the Badminton course to celebrate.

Simon O’Leary, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Volunteer Fundraising, said the charity was delighted to have been given an opportunity to raise awareness about the charity’s work as the Badminton charity of the year. “Thanks to our supporters and the dedicated work of our doctors and scientists we are seeing such encouraging improvements in survival for many cancers, including bowel and breast cancer,” he says.

Simon continues: “Although much has been achieved in the fight against cancer there’s still more to do. Research is expensive and we rely completely on donations from the public to continue our work which has saved millions of lives in the UK and across the world”.

Hugh Thomas, Director of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, says: “It was John Hills, our chief cross country steward and committee member, who originally suggested Cancer Research UK as our Charity of the Year before he was diagnosed with cancer himself.  John died in April 2009, just before Badminton and this year’s choice of charity is very much as a tribute to him”.

One-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives but more people are beating the disease than ever before and Cancer Research UK’s work is at the heart of that progress. With this in mind William Miflin, who has competed at Badminton six times and has raised hundreds of pounds over the past few years for research with course walks said: “I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to support Cancer Research UK”.

The Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials take place from Thursday 20th April to Monday 25th April. Visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk for more information.

For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work to find out how to support the charity, please call 08701 60 20 40 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk