Scott Paton, the managing director of business hub neospace, has joined the newly established Business Beats Cancer board in Aberdeen.
This initiative from Cancer Research UK aims to rally business leaders to support vital cancer research through fundraising and community engagement.
Leading the fight against cancer
Cancer Research UK is renowned as one of the world’s leading cancer charities, funding research into over 200 different types of cancer. Genevieve Smith, the local relationship manager for Cancer Research UK in Aberdeen, shared insights about the charity’s mission: “Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. We achieve this by funding research projects that detect, prevent, and treat cancers, focusing on finding more effective and kinder treatments, and identifying cancer earlier.”
Scott’s motivation
When asked about his motivations for joining the board, Scott commented: “Cancer is something that resonates with me as my mother-in-law has been fighting the disease for over two years now, which has impacted the family significantly. Millions of families share similar stories, and I hope to contribute in a small way and join the growing list of supporters to one day win the war against cancer.”
The Aberdeen board’s mission
The new Aberdeen board is part of the successful Business Beats Cancer initiative. “Business Beats Cancer is an initiative that brings together business leaders in cities across the UK to form their own boards within that city,” Genevieve explained. The primary objective of these boards is to host exclusive fundraising events for the business community, such as gala dinners, with an ambitious goal of raising £40,000 from their first event.
The work of the Aberdeen board is critical in addressing funding gaps. Genevieve highlighted, “In 2022, one in five high-quality projects to explore the fundamental biology of cancer had to be turned away because we couldn’t support them. We rely almost entirely on public funding so fundraising from our supporters through groups and boards like Business Beats Cancer is incredibly important.” Additionally, the boards can direct the funds they raise to a specific area of our research. This may be a type of cancer, location of research, piece of equipment and even highly specific research projects, allowing them to have a targeted impact.
Community engagement and impact
Since its inception in 2016, the Business Beats Cancer initiative has raised over £2million for cancer research. Genevieve emphasised the significance of this funding: “It’s a huge amount of income for the charity.” Aberdeen, with its ambitious business community, is poised to replicate the success seen in other UK cities.
There are numerous ways the local community can support cancer research. “From participating in events like Race for Life to making donations at our trading stores, there are many ways to get involved,” Genevieve elaborated. Businesses can also contribute through payroll giving, setting up donation stations, and corporate volunteering days. The board will be selling tables and sponsorship packages, seeking donations for the live and silent auctions for their first event, and recruiting new board members.
Facing challenges and building partnerships
Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain, particularly the impact of the current cost of living crisis. Genevieve noted, “People haven’t got as much disposable income, so where they might have donated in the past, they may not be able to now. But support doesn’t necessarily have to be financial. Volunteering, attending events, and spreading the word on social media are all valuable.”
Collaboration between Cancer Research UK and private companies is essential. “Working with our board members for Business Beats Cancer is really important because we hope to utilise their networks to spread the word further and reach more people with our key messages. There’s a lot of different skill sets within our board, which is incredibly valuable,” Genevieve stated.
Scott added: “It is vital for local businesses like Neospace to get involved and come together by volunteering, donating, and helping host events to support the lifesaving research work that Cancer Research UK carry out, to ensure more people live longer and better lives.”
Looking ahead
For Genevieve, working with Cancer Research UK is deeply rewarding. “I wanted to do something that would have a better, more positive impact on people. Working for the charity is incredibly rewarding, and I get to work with fantastic supporters, whether it’s committee members or board members,” she shared.
The Aberdeen board currently has five members and aims to grow to ten. They plan to host their first event next year, targeting an initial attendance of 200 business guests, with hopes to expand in the future. Genevieve mentioned, “Our Edinburgh board’s last dinner had 450 guests. We hope to see similar growth and success here in Aberdeen.”
Genevieve also noted the personal connections many board members have with cancer, which motivates them to join. “A lot of our board members, like Scott, have a personal connection to cancer or Cancer Research UK. It’s an opportunity for them to work with fellow board members from different industries and grow their networks while contributing to a meaningful cause.”
As the new board in Aberdeen gears up for its first event, the community’s support and involvement will be crucial. With dedicated leaders like Scott from Neospace Aberdeen and a committed business community, the future looks promising for cancer research initiatives in the region.
If you are interested in joining the Business Beats Cancer board, or want to learn more about how your company can support Cancer Research UK, reach out to Genevieve Smith at [email protected]
