Bournemouth Airport has chosen Macmillan Caring Locally, which supports the Macmillan Unit hospice in Christchurch, as its first official Charity of the Year.
The charity was selected following a vote by airport staff from a shortlist of local charities and will benefit from a programme of fundraising activities and awareness campaigns involving airport employees and passengers.
Bournemouth Airport has a long history of supporting local charities and community causes but this is the first time it has formally adopted a Charity of the Year.
Macmillan Caring Locally supports the running of the Macmillan Unit, which provides specialist palliative care and a range of support services to more than 1,600 patients with life-limiting conditions, and their families, across Dorset and Hampshire each year.
The unit, which was the first NHS hospice in the country, provides inpatient care, Hospice at Home services and support for patients in nursing and residential care, alongside a range of family support services.
Fundraising has already begun, with airport staff collecting donations from visitors to the Bournemouth Airport stand at this summer’s New Forest Show.
Further activities being planned include coffee mornings, a sponsored hike involving airport employees next year and a potential larger fundraising event.
Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Macmillan Caring Locally as our Charity of the Year. The Macmillan Unit provides exceptional care and support to patients and their families, often at the most difficult times in their lives. We’re looking forward to getting our teams involved in fundraising activities and using the airport’s growing reach to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work.”
Neal Williams, Trust Secretary for Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Bournemouth Airport as its Charity of the Year.
“The Macmillan Caring Locally charity funds most of these services through the support and generosity of the community and local fundraising efforts. So, to be able to spread awareness of what we do amongst the growing number of travellers, businesses, and the public accessing Bournemouth’s thriving airport is hugely important and valuable to us. From fundraising events to awareness campaigns, we are looking forward to making a real difference together.”
Macmillan Caring Locally is an independent charity and is not connected to the national Macmillan Cancer Support charity.
For more information about Macmillan Caring Locally and how to support its work, visit www.macmillanlocal.org
Pictured: Jodie Saunders, Sales and Marketing Manager at Bournemouth Airport, with Jess Wiseman, Events and Challenges Fundraiser for Macmillan Caring Locally.
