Remit backs charity thanks to ‘dress-down’ loose change

National training provider, Remit Group, has handed over £500 to the Teenage Cancer Trust, as part of its ongoing support of worthwhile charities.

The money is raised by the students and staff who attend Remit’s dedicated Automotive Academy on Wincanton Close in Derby. Hundreds of apprentices attend the Academy every month from garages and bodyshops across the country, training to achieve their qualifications. They are expected to wear smart ‘workwear’ from Monday to Thursday, but they can wear whatever they want on a Friday in exchange for a small charitable donation.

Every three months, the Academy collates all the donations and, in agreement with the young people themselves, they choose their dedicated charity for that quarter.

Apprentices and staff agreed this month that the first quarter’s donations should go to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that supports young people living with cancer.

Mick Pilling, Automotive Development Director at Remit Group, said: “We don’t ask for much in our charity tin, just some loose change, it’s very much whatever our apprentices would like to give. We always want to know who our apprentices would like to support, and we’re often given suggestions. The Teenage Cancer Trust came at the suggestion of one of our Level 3 light vehicle apprentices, Alfie Richford, who’s friend, Lauren Elliott, had been supported by the charity while she was receiving treatment for her cancer at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.

“The charity is fantastic and helps to bridge the gap between being a child with cancer and an adult. They create spaces in hospital wards, built just for young people, as well as providing a wider range of support. It’s hard enough being a teenager, growing up and having to get used to the idea of being an adult, so we can only imagine how difficult it is for those young people who also then face living with cancer. We hope our contribution can help to make a difference to those young people.”

Jo Benbow from the Teenage Cancer Trust met with and spoke to more than 60 of the apprentices who were attending the Academy in Derby this week. She gave her thanks for the donation and explained about the work they are doing across the country. She was joined by Lauren and her family and friends, who have done a huge amount of work themselves to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Lauren’s dad, Kurt Elliott, also spoke to the teenagers and explained what a difference the Teenage Cancer Trust made to their whole experience while Lauren was receiving treatment. When Lauren was diagnosed in September 2014, Kurt and his friends set up a bikers group, ‘The League of Zeal’, dedicated to raising money for the charity, and they have raised more than £64,000. They wanted to come along and show their gratitude for Remit’s support and personally thank the young people themselves.

Remit will continue their fundraising over the next few months and will look ahead to supporting another worthwhile cause at the end of the summer.

In September 2014, Lauren ‘Loz’ Elliott, a teenager from Heage, Derbyshire was diagnosed with a tumour. Since her diagnosis, she has been undergoing treatment at both the City and Queens Medical Centre Hospitals, Nottingham.

Following this diagnosis Lauren’s family and close friends founded the League Of Zeal Motor Cycle Club (LOZ MCC) which is a family club, based in the Amber Valley area of Derbyshire.

Whilst enjoying our common passion for motorcycling we also strive to raise money for a truly personal cause, the Teenage Cancer Trust, who work to help 13 to 24yr olds suffering with all forms of cancer and who have and continue to be invaluable in their assistance and support for Lauren.

Teenage Cancer Trust was formed in 1990, before this there was no specialist cancer care for young people offered within the NHS. Now there are 28 specialist units and teams of expert nurses and youth support staff in NHS hospitals across the UK, offering young people with cancer the very best care and support from the moment they are diagnosed, throughout treatment, and after treatment has finished. Our fundraising takes various forms ranging from the sale of Teenage Cancer Trust wristbands and pins and collections using official Teenage Cancer Trust collection boxes and social fundraising events through to the staging of weekend family music festivals for 500 guests.