A charity dedicated to supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the North East has received backing from access industry leaders, Nationwide Platforms.

The Toma Fund is dedicated to the memory of Jordan David Thompson and Sophie Ela Atay, who were cousins that tragically died from childhood cancers. Jordan was 15 when he lost his battle with Leukaemia in September 2007 and Sophie was just 2 when she died of Neuroblastoma in March 2010.

The fund began when Jordan was ill and he wanted to do something to help other people like himself who were going through treatment at Newcastle's RVI. Through Jordan's efforts and later those of his family and friends, the Toma Fund raised over £400k towards the support and build of a dedicated unit in the RVI, Newcastle, specifically for teenagers living with cancer.

UK working at height specialists Nationwide Platforms boosted the charity at the end of 2011 by providing sponsorship for the vests of the Toma Fund’s Great North Run participants. The business is also set to provide support to the charity through 2012 as part of its industry unique Corporate Responsibility Policy which aims to make a positive impact in the environments and communities in which the company operates.

Access platform leaders give local support

Nationwide Platforms Area Sales Manager for the North East, Simon Ward, who is based at the business’ Durham depot, also completed the 2011 half marathon event for the charity, finishing the city course in under an hour and a half. As a local supporter of the charity, Simon is also planning to help the Toma Fund raise funds in 2012, by running in more events. The sponsorship raised by Simon will also be matched by Nationwide Platforms, who have continued to offer to match the funds raised by employees for all charity efforts, again as part of its Corporate Responsibility Policy.

Durham and England cricketer Liam Plunkett also completed the 2011 Great North Run for the charity, whose patrons also include Newcastle United legend David Ginola, as well as current footballers Peter Ramage and Steven Taylor and actress Melanie Hill.

The Toma Fund founder and CEO Andrea Thompson with Simon Ward (left) and Nationwide Platforms’ Executive Director – Sales and Marketing Richard Miller (right), with a memento from the Great North Run – a running vest signed by Durham and England cricketer Liam Plunkett.

CEO and Founder of the Toma Fund, Andrea Thompson, said: “We rely on the assistance of businesses like Nationwide Platforms to continue to provide support. By having a sponsor for the vests we were able to make sure that all of the money our runners raised went directly to the cause. We’re very grateful for what Nationwide Platforms has done for us.”

Nationwide Platforms’ Executive Director – Sales and Marketing, Richard Miller, said: “As a business we’re incredibly proud to get behind the local charities that make such a huge difference in the communities we work in. The Toma Fund has achieved remarkable things since its inception and we’re eager to help the charity continue to make a huge difference for young people affected by cancer.”

For more information on the Toma Fund, see: http://www.tomafund.org

Want to read more about the impact of our Corporate Responsibility Policy? See how we backed the Lutterworth Athletic U17s in Leicestershire.