researchers

The Future Fund, a partnership between North of England Children’s Cancer Research, Newcastle University and Newcastle’s Hospitals’ Great North Children’s Hospital has now raised £2m following a large donation from a North East business.

Benfield Motor Group, owned by the Squires family, donated £50,000 to the scheme which aims to place Newcastle at the centre of the global fight against childhood cancer.

Chief Executive at Benfield, Mark Squires, said: “As a family business which hails from the North East we are absolutely delighted to support this worthwhile campaign.

“The money we have donated through Benfield Charitable Trust will be going directly towards the new centre, helping Newcastle become the centre of excellence for children’s cancer research.”

If the funds for the centre are raised, it will be established in the heart of the Newcastle University Campus and should help the city retain key members of staff as well as attracted internationally recognised experts in the field.

Chairman of NECCR Chris Peacock said: “We are delighted that the Squires family have donated such a significant sum to help lead the battle against children’s cancer.

“Having a state-of-the-art research centre will only further the world class work being done here in Newcastle. Ultimately it will lead to faster diagnoses and less toxic treatments of this terrible disease.

“We can’t thank them enough for helping us towards our target.”