Christopher’s Smile Is Spectrum’s Charity For 2015

Published on: 23 Feb, 2015
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2015

Guildford Spectrum has chosen Christopher’s Smile as its chosen charity for 2015.

Members of the public were asked to vote for one of four shortlisted charities with Jigsaw Trust, Oakleaf Enterprise and National Deaf Children’s Society also being considered.

Karen Capel and Steve May with Guildford Spectrum’s mascot Specky.

Christopher’s Smile, based in Lightwater, was set up in October 2008 by Karen and Kevin Capel, the parents of Christopher who died at the age of five following a 21-month battle with a brain tumour.

The charity’s vision is that every child diagnosed with cancer should not only survive, but reach adulthood enjoying a good quality of life. Its work focuses on funding research into new targeted treatments for children and it has raised more than £800,000 and fully funded four paediatric research positions to champion this work.

Ground-breaking research funded by Christopher’s Smile has meant that new trials are now available for children – trials which are providing fresh hope where before there was none. The charity is volunteer led and 100% of donations go towards its work and research.

Guildford Spectrum will donate to the charity activity tickets that can be exchanged for a wide variety of leisure facilities including swimming sessions, use of the gym, sports hall activities, group exercise classes and ten pin bowling.

The activity tickets are generated through the generosity of Spectrum’s customers who donate their loyalty card points to the cause. These points are converted into activity tickets for the charity to use as they wish. Around 200,000 points can be expected – equating to 400 activities.

Karen Capel said: “It is hugely encouraging to have the charity and its work recognised and I hope our association with Spectrum will help more people understand the issues faced by children diagnosed with cancer.

“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who voted for us and to Freedom Leisure members at Spectrum whose generosity in the donating their loyalty cards points over the next year will give local families some much-needed time out to enjoy leisure time together at Spectrum.”

Steve May, area manager of Freedom Leisure that operates Guildford Spectrum on behalf of Guildford Borough Council, said: “Christopher’s Smile is a charity that captures the hearts of parents and families in particular and they are very worthy recipients of our support this year.

“It is a privilege to work with Christopher’s parents to help raise awareness of their important research work and I’m looking forward to welcoming families to Spectrum to use the activity tickets generated by our members.”

To find out more information about Christopher’s Smile visit christopherssmile.org.uk/