Bluestar fundraising tops £2,500 for Young Lives vs Cancer

As a team, we have raised more than £2,500 for Young Lives vs Cancer so far this year, after getting behind a series of fundraising activities.

Young Lives vs Cancer was named as our official charity partner earlier this year and will continue to receive our support until the end of 2027.

One of our drivers Carl Evans took on an 80-mile cycle challenge in September as part of Young Lives vs Cancer’s 'Challenge 80' campaign. The 80 miles represents the average round trip a child with cancer has to make to receive specialist treatment.

Setting off from the Bluestar depot in Southampton, Carl cycled to Winchester, then on through Salisbury before returning to Southampton, completing the full 80 miles in a single day. In doing this, he managed to raise an incredible £590. 

The challenge was particularly close to his heart as, before becoming a bus driver, Carl worked as a nurse at Southampton General Hospital. 

Carl said “Having worked as a nurse at Southampton General, I’ve seen how difficult cancer treatment can be for patients and their families, so Challenge 80 was something I really wanted to get behind.

“Cycling 80 miles in a day was definitely a challenge, but knowing I was raising money for such an important cause kept me going. I’m really grateful to everyone who sponsored me and to Bluestar for matching what I raised.”

Colleagues have also been busy baking, with a recent bake sale raising a further £260. Together with other fundraising activities held throughout the year, the money raised has taken Bluestar’s total for Young Lives vs Cancer to more than £2,500 to date.

This amount could help provide two families 18 nights each accommodation in Jean’s House, their “Home from Home” which allows families to stay close to their child while they receive cancer treatment at Southampton General Hospital.

Young Lives vs Cancer does an incredible job supporting children and young people with cancer, as well as their families, and we are very pleased to have them as our charity partner.

Liz Blunt, Senior Fundraising Engagement Manager for Young Lives vs Cancer added: “We are delighted to be supported by Bluestar this year and we really appreciate their support through their various fundraising activities. It was lovely to meet Carl who did so brilliantly with his fundraising cycling challenge. Thank you very much to everyone from Bluestar for their wonderful support for children and young people with cancer.

“We don’t receive government funding as a charity so only have Jean’s House and our specialist social workers based at Southampton University Hospital thanks to companies like Bluestar.”