New Directions BDO supports ‘Beating Bowel Cancer’

Wrexham Secondary Business Development Officer, Rob Ratcliffe led the morning service at Ysgol Penrhyn, Wrexham. The occasion was to thank the children, staff, parents and, in particular Headteacher Martin Mathias for raising £1,500 for ‘Beating Bowel Cancer’.

Ysgol Penrhyn is a regular user with New Directions and Headteacher, Martin has a particular reason for choosing Beating Bowel Cancer. He taught Rob’s son Jonathan who passed away in 2008 at the age of 28. Since then, Rob and his wife Gill have become volunteers for the charity, raising around £75,000 over the past 6 years.

Martin completed the annual 100 mile ‘Ride London’ event last August and was sponsored by colleagues, pupils, parents, family and friends. The event takes place along the 2012 Olympic route and includes 3 very challenging hills. What is even more impressive about Martin’s performance is that he rode with a broken wrist. This demonstrates Martin’s determination and very caring attitude.

Lauren James (regional fundraiser for Beating Bowel Cancer) travelled from Manchester to attend the assembly and presented Martin with his Ride London medal and a thank you letter on behalf of the charity. Martin said, “It was a real pleasure to ride in memory of Jonathan and support this important charity. Everyone in school and family and friends have been very generous and I thank them all sincerely.”

‘Beating Bowel Cancer’ is a leading UK charity which is very influential regarding the Government’s overall cancer strategy and bowel cancer screening programme. Its emphasis is upon prevention and support.