After being diagnosed with bowel cancer himself in October 2018, Michael wanted to get involved with raising money for the charity which now has personal significance to him. As a part of this fundraising, Michael took the lead in getting his friends, family and colleagues at The Cambridge to take part in Decembeard.
Along with colleagues and friends in Mike’s immediate team, The Cambridge’s CEO, Financial Director and Chief Operating Officer all got involved by not shaving for the whole of December to support Michael achieve his fundraising targets. A couple of the team have even taken to the look and have decided to keep growing their beards!
Through Michael’s personal fundraising alone, he has beaten his own target of £5,000 and raised over £8,000 for Bowel Cancer UK. In addition to this Team Stead, who are currently 39 members strong, has raised a record breaking £23,000 for the charity with contributions still being made to date.
Michael spoke about what his achievement means to him, “I’m very proud of what Team Stead have achieved for Bowel Cancer UK so far. The fact that I am able to use my own personal experience to raise awareness for bowel cancer, drive their message forward to encourage people to get tested for early diagnosis, and make a real impact to the charity means so much to me.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the people around me who have got involved and sponsored me over the past months. It is because of my friends and colleagues at The Cambridge who got involved with Decembeard, along with the ongoing support from friends and family that I have been able to contribute so much to the charity.”
Luke Squires, Director of Fundraising at Bowel Cancer UK commented on Michael’s achievement, “We are incredibly proud of Michael and Team Stead who have achieved a truly 'hair-raising' result by taking part in Decembeard. Their generous support will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by funding vital services and life saving research.
“Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, but because of the support of amazing organisations like Cambridge Building Society we can continue to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.”
Both of Michael’s JustGiving pages are still live:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-stead7
https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/SteadvCancer