Chai Cancer Care launches new fundraising challenge

Jewish cancer support charity Chai Cancer Care have announced a new partnership with the world’s leading fundraising challenge operator, Charity Challenge.

Their new initiative, ‘Chai Challenges YOU’ is a collaboration aims to encourage people to take part in a wide range of physical fundraising challenges and activities that they would never have otherwise considered.

Championed by Chai Ambassador Alexandra Maurice and Charity Challenge Director Simon Albert, the partnership was galvanized from the huge success of the Kilimanjaro Trek, which raised an incredible £330,000 for Chai Cancer Care.

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The original idea for a group of 23 North West London ladies to climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world was initiated by Alexandra Maurice, whose sister-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Seeing the positive impact of Chai’s services, Alexandra was inspired to organise the trip with the help of her friend Ruth Bray.

Alexandra Maurice said, “I have seen first-hand how Chai brings respite, relief and calmness to the lives of the people that they support. The essence of Chai is for people not to be alone, it is to walk alongside them, or trek alongside them. It is not enough for us to sit at a bedside, ‘Chai Challenges YOU’ is about showing strength and support in a very real way. We want people to step out of their comfort zone and do something great for Chai.

The first bespoke challenge will take place in November 2015 and will involve Trekking over 100km in 5 days uncovering the epic views and fascinating communities of the Sahara Desert.”

Simon Albert, Director of Charity Challenge, said: “As a supporter of Chai Cancer Care, and having seen the immense value of its work first-hand, I am delighted to be helping the charity to launch this incredible series of challenges for the public to raise funds for this great cause.

“I am cycling from London to Paris this month, my very first bike ride, which will entail 320 miles of cycling over three very arduous days! I will be pushing myself to my limits, but having seen the struggle people with cancer have to go through, I am inspired to do it.

“The thought of my father-in-law, who Chai supported so fantastically, will keep me going when my legs have given up.”

Lisa Steele, Chai’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Charity Challenge and we are enormously grateful to Simon Albert and his team for their support and interest in adding another dimension to Chai’s fundraising initiative. Chai needs the community’s generosity to help raise the £2.2 million it will cost to provide its services each year.

“I would also like to say a special thank you to Alexandra Maurice for her incredible dedication to Chai and for driving ‘Chai Challenges YOU’ forwards. Being a part of the group of inspiring women that climbed Kilimanjaro – the challenge for us was about the journey we shared together, every day and for what and who we were doing it for.”

• Chai Cancer Care is the Jewish Community’s Cancer Support Organisation, providing services for patients, their families and friends affected by a cancer diagnosis.
• For more information, visit their website