Hundreds raised in raffle and smartphones donated to Newcastle cancer charity ‘Daft as a Brush’

(Left to right: Faye Kirton (Community Liaison Officer at Virgin Media), Brian Burnie (Founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care) and John Maughan (Build Engineer at Virgin Media)

Virgin Media employee, Faye Kirton, has helped to raise £365 and secured a number of new smart phones for a Newcastle cancer charity, ‘Daft as a Brush’, after being inspired by their work in communities across the city.

Faye is part of Virgin Media’s Project Lightning team which is expanding the company’s ultrafast broadband network across Newcastle.

Whilst working in the Gosforth area, Faye came across the charity which takes people undergoing lifesaving cancer treatment to and from Freeman Hospital, free of charge in custom-made buses that can transport children of all ages alongside their families.

After hearing how ‘Daft as a Brush’ provides a lifeline to local families, Faye wanted to do all that she could to help support the charity.

Despite lockdown restrictions, Faye and her colleagues held a virtual raffle for three weeks in February – with prizes donated from people in the local community. Thanks to the generosity of local residents, £365 has been raised for the charity.

In addition to the cash raised, Virgin Media has supplied ten smartphones and SIMs to the organisation to help the charity’s volunteer drivers stay connected.

Speaking on the money raised, Faye Kirton, Community Liaison Officer at Virgin Media, said:

“This past year has been difficult for all of us, but especially for families battling cancer who regularly have to go to hospital for lifesaving treatment.

“Having seen the difference the charity makes to these families, I wanted to do everything I could to give back.  

“Thanks to the support of my brilliant colleagues and those who bought tickets, we raised £365 which in its small way, will help ‘Daft as a Brush’ continue to deliver its vital work.

“This is all part our aim to make meaningful connections in the communities we serve.”

Brian Burnie, Founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, said:

“We are very grateful and appreciate the kind donation of pre-paid mobile phones from Virgin Media, and for the money raised by Faye in her raffle.

“It is essential that each volunteer ambulance driver calls the patient to confirm their appointment and is contactable at all times. This donation of pre-paid handsets will assist our fantastic volunteers and help the cancer patients on their journey to recovery.

“Our thanks to Virgin Media and their team for their contribution to our charity during these challenging times.”

ENDS