Barnsley Premier Leisure extends Weston Park partnership

We’re very excited that Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) has extended a partnership with us for three years after a hugely successful period raising funds and awareness for Weston Park.

BPL manages facilities in Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Pontefract and has played a big role in raising awareness for our charity in Barnsley, Bassetlaw and surrounding areas since the start of our partnership in 2016.

Thanks to BPL staff and members, the partnership so far has seen countless fundraising events take place at BPL venues – including fun days, golf days, tea parties, Christmas jumper days, bake sales and regular individual fundraising activities.

The partnership has raised more than £45,000 so far and has helped provide vital awareness of Weston Park’s work in key regions for our charity.

By caring in every sense for people affected by cancer in the Barnsley and Bassetlaw regions, Weston Park Cancer Charity provides support services for patients and families; enables vital research into better treatment and care; and enhances experiences for people going through cancer or cancer treatment.

Research supported by Weston Park Cancer Charity includes the ‘Piloting an integrated pathway for physical activity within routine cancer care’ project, currently taking place in Barnsley and the surrounding areas.

As part of the project, researchers from Sheffield Hallam University aim to formalise the role of physical activity in cancer care, while also training healthcare providers on physical activity advice and develop patient education on physical activity.

The project aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals of how to engage with their patients to encourage participation in physical activity in an effective way – and as a reminder of its importance.

Tim Wilson, chief executive of BPL, said:

“Partnering with a charity like Weston Park is a no-brainer for us. The charity does so much to support people across our region and makes real impact on the day-to-day lives of people affected by cancer.

“Not only does Weston Park provide vital support when and where it’s needed most, but it also enables vital research into better outcomes for people living with cancer.

“Some of this work includes projects in Barnsley, Bassetlaw and the surrounding areas and highlights the vital role which physical activity could play in improving outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.

“We’re delighted to have extended our partnership with Weston Park and we can’t wait to see what the next few years holds.”

Darren Hayes, our Business Development Manager, said: “It’s thanks to supporters like BPL that we can continue to care in every sense for the one in two people facing cancer.

“Figures show that more than 50 per cent of people will, sadly, hear the words ‘you have cancer’ in their lifetime. This makes supporting those people, and their families, all the more important.

“Special partnerships with generous, engaging organisations like BPL go a long way to helping us achieve that – not only by supporting our fundraising, but also by providing vital awareness of the support we provide, the treatment we enhance, and the research we enable.

“A huge thank you to BPL for their continued support.”