Businesses in Gloucestershire are being encouraged to take part in a fun-packed ‘It’s a Knockout’ event to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow, a charity that works with the NHS to bring cancer care closer to patients.
In the 1970s and 80s Britain fell in love with the cult classic TV gameshow It’s a Knockout, which included a host of wacky, messy and fun challenges using everything from sumo suits and inflatable hurdles, to wet sponges and of course lots and lots of foam!
The fundraising event, taking place on 2 July in Gloucester, will be an excellent opportunity for teams of work colleagues to get together for a competitive and fun team building event. Expect to get wet, messy and have a lot of laughs during a range of challenges all inspired by the gameshow.
Tina Seymour, Hope for Tomorrow chief executive, said: “Anyone who remembers It’s a Knockout will recall just how funny and crazy it was, so we expect this event to be a lot of fun for everyone involved. The games are competitive so it will be a good team-building exercise, but at the same time participants will be raising money to provide vital cancer care to local communities. Many businesses are familiar with team building events and away-days. They improve communication, planning skills, motivation employee collaboration and overall performance, but It’s a Knockout stands out because of the way that it combines fun, silliness and competitiveness. We’re really looking forward to an enjoyable day.”
Hope for Tomorrow is a charity committed to reducing the stress of cancer care by bringing it closer to NHS patients. It builds and provides mobile cancer care units to NHS trusts, who drive out to treat patients in communities rather than patients having to make long and sometimes stressful journeys to hospital for their cancer care. In Gloucestershire the units drive out to Cinderford, Stroud and Cirencester to reach patients who would have to travel long distances to Cheltenham General Hospital.
Inside, the units are just like hospital treatment rooms, with four treatment chairs, chemotherapy pump stands, and medical storage facilities. They are equipped with air conditioning and a cooling and heating system for patient comfort, as well as a toilet and kitchen.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust took delivery of the first mobile cancer care unit in the world in 2007 and since then has been providing treatment to patients across the county. Today there are 10 units operational around England and last year they delivered more just under 30,000 treatments.
The charity’s latest patient feedback shows that, on average, for each treatment, patients save two-and-a-half hours, 20 travel miles, and £6 on parking. With treatment lasting several months and sometimes years, the time and financial savings can be considerable. All of these benefits add up to reduce the stress of long hospital visits and managing transport for patients when they are already going through a difficult time in their lives.
Teams for the event need to consist of eight to 10 people (aged 14 years and over) and it costs £400 to enter. The challenges will begin at 11am on Sunday 2 July, at Wall’s Social Club in Barnwood. There will be a bar and barbecue food available to purchase.
For more information and to register visit https://hopefortomorrow.org.uk/itsaknockout/
