Did you know that some of our events are made possible thanks to the support of corporate sponsors? Chris Oliver, Managing Director of Evoke Classics, tells us why sponsoring the Bone Cancer Ball is his way of making a difference.
How did you become involved with the Bone Cancer Research Trust?
Like most people, the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) entered our lives for all the wrong reasons. Our daughter, Mel, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2011. It’s been a long journey since then, with treatment, recurrences of the cancer and much more besides. BCRT have been and continue to be a huge support.
Why did you become a corporate sponsor?
We saw and continue to see the way bone cancer affects individuals and their families in so many different ways. Having a successful business has to a degree given us a buffer to the financial pressures that having a long-term diagnosis brings. Businesses do not operate separate to society. They both need each other. Without one, the other struggles to exist.
Socially energised businesses recognise that. It would be nice if we didn’t need charitable organisations to do what they do. But thank goodness we have outstanding ones like BCRT.
It makes perfect sense to recycle and share some of the benefits of our business back into an organisation that channels it to support others.
The Bone Cancer Ball can raise over £100,000 in just one night – what does that mean to you as a sponsor?
Wow! What an achievement by everyone involved. Just pause and think for a moment what a difference raising those funds makes. On a micro, personal level, that can, in some instances be life changing. On a macro level, it could deliver breakthrough research discoveries that mean curative treatment. That makes us a little emotional – in a good way!
Why are events like the Bone Cancer Ball important to support?
What an opportunity for so many to come together as one big BCRT family. It is tough getting and living, long-term with bone cancer. It is with you every single minute of every day. Having an event like the Bone Cancer Ball is an opportunity to celebrate every individual win that all survivors achieve every day. Who else is doing this? No-one. Thank you, Team Bones!
Your support hasn’t stopped at sponsoring events – tell us how else you and your team has got involved in fundraising?
We’d like to do more. If everyone does a little, what a difference that could make. We’ve had great fun supporting events such as the iconic London Marathon. We’ve also managed to press-gang friends to participate in events such as Ride London. Business team events like Tough Mudder bring amazing team benefits too, as well as great memories. We also produce a calendar every year for clients, customers and to sell commercially, the proceeds of which go to BCRT.
What message would you like to give to other businesses, about working with the Bone Cancer Research Trust?
If you’re thinking about it, I’d say stop thinking about it, and do it.
Businesses get lots of requests for support. But business owners are busy, and a lot of charities do not make it easy to ‘give’. I’m often left wondering where the money goes.
I’ve worked with and volunteered for a number of charitable organisations. BCRT are different.
They get it. They make it easy for businesses. The connection is real. It is not just about asking for funds. BCRT make you feel you are making a difference and part of the journey and their mission; we carry on #UntilTheresACure. And until there is, we press on too and help in any small way we can.
I nearly forgot. The team is great. They work with your team. They are full of ideas. Getting your team to do team events is incredibly empowering. And best of all, it’s great fun too.
Stop thinking. Just do it!
Businesses like Evoke Classics make events like the Bone Cancer Ball possible. Their generous support allows us to direct even more vital funding toward life-saving research and providing support for patients and their families — just as we did for Chris and Mel. As Chris powerfully said, “Stop thinking. Just do it.”
By working together, we truly can make a difference. If your company, employer, or team do want to make a difference for bone cancer patients and their loved ones, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch at [email protected] to find out how you can get involved.
