ACLT saved from closure

The ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) has been saved from closure thanks to generous community giving after their appeal for help in January.  

Co-founders Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis launch a campaign to save the organisation which was ‘not in great shape’ at the beginning of the year.  

ACLT needed to raise a minimum of £80,000 by the end of March to avoid closure. And yesterday the organisation announced that it had not only reached its target but exceed it.  

The fundraising efforts reached the target in 58 days and ACLT said that, “They and the families around the world that they represent would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who donated and contributed to helping them to reach their minimum £80K target”.

ACLT said: “Whilst we are constantly applying for funding grants, your funds will support our patient appeals, family support and counselling, media campaigns, educational programmes and donor recruitment drives in communities who are severely under-represented on the UK bone marrow, blood and organ registers.  

“We would like to thank each and every supporter who has gone to great efforts to donate funds through our cash collections, cheque donations, online or text donation and fundraising challenges”.  

The Trust praised the community saying: “We have been amazed as the community and businesses have galvanised and united as one to help us raise over £120,000 in under 3 months.  

“The generosity of the public is a great achievement for everyone, especially during these difficult financial times. This shows just what can be achieved when we all come together to help save lives, we are truly grateful for all the support we've received”.  

For future long-term sustainability the ACLT would like the generosity to continue to avoid facing the same difficulties in the future, and are asking for continued support from individuals and organisations in the form of regular monthly donations. ACLT Direct Debit form.  

They are encouraging individuals, celebrities, organisations and corporate companies to choose the ACLT as their favoured charity.  

Winsome-Grace Cornish  

Picture: Orin Lewis furndraising