One of the region’s biggest care, leisure and property businesses is giving its support to a leading North East cancer charity.
Malhotra Group plc, has chosen Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care as its nominated charity for 2020.
And staff and management will now work with the Newcastle-based charity to identify ways in which they can support it through fundraising and practical help.
Founded by philanthropist businessman Brian Burnie, Daft as a Brush provides a free transport service to and from the Freeman and RVI hospitals for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment following referral by the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at Freeman Hospital.
The Malhotra Group has pledged to raise a minimum of £7200 for the charity over the next 12 months, covering the cost of keeping one of its ambulances on the road for a full year.
Each of the ambulances has been adopted by local primary schools and money raised by The Malhotra Group will power ‘Gosforth Guardian’ for the duration of 2020.
“We are thrilled The Malhotra Group has chosen Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care as its charity of the year 2020,” said the charity’s trustee, Leslie Caisley.
“This unique opportunity brings together local business with a local charity and demonstrates the company’s commitment to making a difference in our region.
“On behalf of the team at Daft as a Brush, we would like to sincerely thank the Group and look forward to helping even more patients in 2020.”
Atul Malhotra, operations director at family-owned Malhotra Group plc, said: “The volunteers at Daft as a Brush ensure that none of their patients has to go through cancer treatment alone or has to wait around for buses to go to and from their appointments.
“This makes a huge difference to people at a very stressful and frightening time and we are proud to be able to help them.”
The charity’s Gosforth base is directly across the road from one of the Malhotra Group’s key properties, The Three Mile, which is undergoing major expansion to create a hotel, bar and restaurant.
“The Three Mile has been a vast project,” said Mr Malhotra. “However, the launch date is now in sight and we are looking forward to forging long term links with Daft as a Brush, not just as fundraisers, but, as neighbours and friends.”
For more information about Malhotra Group plc contact www.malhotragroup.co.uk and, for information about the Daft as a Brush service, contact www.daftasabrush.org.uk