The event last Sunday, 5th March sought to raise awareness of blood cancers and hear about the latest research and treatment developments from the charity’s Honorary President, Professor Nagesh Kalakonda, Consultant Haemato-Oncologist at Liverpool Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Charity Patron, Roger Phillips (former BBC Radio Merseyside presenter) also interviewed Lady Anne Dodd (widow of Sir Ken Dodd). Other VIP guests included the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Roy Gladden and Lesley Martin-Wright, the High Sheriff of Merseyside.
Liverpool’s independent restaurant, Lunya donated £18,000 to Merseyside Against Blood Cancers, The Bloom Appeal. Handing over the cheque at the charity’s fundraising event ‘Bloom in Spring’ at Hope Street Hotel was Lunya owner Elaine Kinsella, who has been supporting us since last year, following her diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma (an incurable blood cancer) in January 2021. Elaine was invited on the board of trustees for the charity in 2022.
Specifically, over the last 6 months, Elaine and her husband Peter have been raising money for Merseyside Against Blood Cancers – The Bloom Appeal with the help of Lunya customers through its £1 on bill initiative, which has raised over £50,000 in total for other local charities after Peter and Elaine personally top up the amount collected. The money raised this time will go towards the vital work our charity does in funding research and education regarding blood cancers and giving financial grants to patients living with blood cancer in the local Merseyside area.
Peter Kinsella, co-owner of Lunya said: “Thanks to the generosity of our customers, we are proud to have raised such a large amount which will support the vital work of Merseyside Against Blood Cancers – The Bloom Appeal. We’ve seen first-hand the incredible work the charity does in aiding research and supporting people living with blood cancer with financial grants. It’s so important for us to raise money for local charities and put money back into our community to people who need it most, and after Elaine going through treatment herself over the last two years, it means a lot for us to be able to support this cause.”
Elkan Abrahamson, Chair of Merseyside Against Blood Cancers – The Bloom Appeal said: “We are delighted to receive this cheque from Lunya and send our thanks to their customers and to Peter and Elaine for such generous donations. At such challenging economic times, it’s amazing that local charities such as ours still receive wonderful support to pursue our important work.”
Merseyside Against Blood Cancers, The Bloom Appeal would like to thank everyone who attended the event and for all their generous donations on the day.
