Member Article

Military vs Cancer unveils striking mural on the side of a lorry to raise awareness of those affected by cancer

GAP Group (NE) Limited a leading Gateshead waste management and logistics company is raising awareness of British forces cancer fundraising group Military vs Cancer by unveiling a huge mural displayed on the sides of one of its lorries.

The unveiling coincides with GAP Group managing director Peter Moody becoming a trustee of the Military vs Cancer. Present at the unveiling of the eye catching design were local representatives from all three branches of the military: the Royal Navy, the RAF and the British Army.

Macmillan Cancer Support North East fundraising manager Michelle Muir and Cancer Research UK Business Beats Cancer chairman Michael Lightfoot were also present to formally accept an equal share of the £28,000 donation raised from a recent Military vs Cancer fundraiser in Northumberland ear marked for the North East region.

Michelle Muir North East Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support said: “What a wonderful donation to receive at time when our services have never been more in demand and fundraising so challenging. The donation will be used to support people affected by and living with cancer across this region.”

Peter Moody and David Bathgate formed a bond with a group of like minded, time served military and former military colleagues and when one of their own Sean Gibney died from bowel cancer several years ago a successful event was held raising money subsequently donated to his young family creating the idea for Military vs Cancer. Founding members of this group include David and his wife Shelley Bathgate both from Nottingham who tragically lost five members from across both sides of their family to cancer and now seek the Military vs Cancer to mobilise military networks and friendships to raise money to tackle the disease.

Peter Moody said: “I am honoured to be made a trustee of the Military vs Cancer and wanted to mark the next stage in its development with something significant that would celebrate its achievements so far. Including the recent event in Northumberland the fundraising group has raised £94,000 in donations for cancer charities since its inception something Dave, Shelley and all those behind the Military vs Cancer should be very proud.

“The next North East event is happening in 2022 at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park and Military vs Cancer is also in the process of becoming a registered charity as we strive to raise donations committed to benefiting those affected by cancer.”

David Bathgate the chair of Military v Cancer said: “We are so grateful for the time, effort and expertise that Peter Moody has shared with us and he has been crucial to the success so far of Military vs Cancer. The £94,000 of donations we have raised highlights what can happen when a group of committed current and former military people come together for a common cause.”

Shelley Bathgate said: “The work of the Military vs Cancer has never been more important than now as Covid has had such a devastating effect. A recent All-Party Parliamentary Group cancer summit said the Covid induced cancer backlog is a national health crisis.

“There has been disruption as a result of Covid across the entire cancer pathway and a four week delay in cancer treatment is statistically proven to reduce survival by 10%.”

GAP Group was founded by Peter Moody in 2005 when he left the Royal Navy after proudly serving for 23 years, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. GAP is now a significant employer in the North East with a £15m turnover, set for further growth as it adopts processes including fridge recycling and reprocessing, anaerobic digestion for organic food recycling and precious metal reclamation as the company addresses rising global environmental concerns.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by 2B Communications Limited .