Bowel Research UK has launched its first fundraising appeal, aiming to raise £1m in total for bowel cancer research.
The charity was born last September from the merger of Bowel Disease Research Foundation and Bowel & Cancer Research.
Bowel Research UK is now looking to fund £1m worth of bowel cancer research over the next 12 to 18 months. Its campaign, the Large and Small Bowel Appeal, has raised £600,000 so far, and the charity is appealing to the public to donate or fundraise to help it reach its target.
Football commentator and bowel cancer survivor John Motson is backing the campaign and the charity’s work, which focuses on patients’ needs.
Bowel & Cancer Research and Bowel Disease Research Foundation had an income of £1.7m and £500,000 respectively in 2019.
Charity asking public to ‘go large’ or ‘go small’
Bowel Research UK said that as for most charities, the pandemic has partially compromised its fundraising. Last month, researchers warned that the impact of Covid-19 on research charities and the economic crisis could lead to up to £7.8bn less investment into medical research by 2027.
Launching the appeal on its website, the charity said: “Times are extremely tough at the moment – we appreciate that the global pandemic is taking it’s toll on every aspect of society. Bowel Research UK has been hit like all other charities and our fundraising has suffered throughout 2020.
“Bowel Research UK firmly believes that finding a cure for bowel cancer and effective treatments to mitigate, or entirely eradicate bowel cancer and bowel disease remains possible – but only if we continue to fund world-leading research and invest in our scientific and medical communities today.
“We’re asking if you would go large for Bowel Research UK or go small…either way would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t afford to donate at the moment then perhaps you would consider pledging your support and doing some fundraising for us.”
Rebecca Porta, CEO of Bowel Research UK, said: “More than 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK, and over 1,000,000 are impacted by life-changing bowel conditions, making the work of Bowel Research UK more critical than ever.
“We are delighted to receive the backing of such a high-profile figure as John Motson who articulates exactly why our patient-driven research can help deliver much-needed improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care.”
