£3million and counting: Chai Cancer Care smashes fundraising target

Hundreds of children showed their blonde, blue, green and purple ambition to raise funds for Chai Cancer Care by dyeing their hair for the charity’s Big Impact weekend.

Close to 9,000 donors from across the globe smashed the target of £1.8m to raise more than £3m with contributions still coming in. Funds will be used to support Chai’s existing services and the rollout of a new NHS programme of genetic testing to identify individuals in the Jewish community with a BRCA gene fault.

Activities for the cancer support organisation kicked off with thousands of children from 18 schools and nurseries across the UK rocking hair-raising styles for ‘Mad Hair Day’ on Friday to raise awareness for the ‘Chai in schools’ programme, which supports children affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Over 150 synagogues, communities and universities then took part in the ‘Chai Shabbat’ with kosher bakeries, butchers and grocery stores promoting Chai with more than 12,000 stickers on their food items.

On Sunday afternoon, Chai’s HQ in Hendon opened its doors to more than 100 children who have a family member supported by Chai.  The family fun day gave the children a chance to create positive memories with a photo booth, face painting, jewellery- making, photo frame decorating, football shoot-out and hair braiding.

Pet therapy dog Dudley made a guest appearance, highlighting one of Chai’s many complementary therapies.

Chai chairman Louise Hager said: “This wave of affection and recognition of what Chai means to so many people is truly inspiring. Chai has annual running costs of £3.5m and rising, and with no statutory funding is dependent on the generosity of donors to meet the ever-increasing need.”

Chief executive Lisa Steele said: “Everyone knows someone affected by cancer; the way the community has come together to support us is remarkable.”