Devon firm celebrates 50 golden years in business
Ken White Signs, located in Tiverton is continuing its ‘giving back to the local community’ in celebration of 50-years in business, by organising a charity summer fun run in aid of CLIC Sargent.
Ken White and his late wife Jean, started the company in 1967 in their home town of Tiverton and today all three of Ken’s sons work in the business.
The Devon-based family-run company has been supporting many local charities, independent retailers and schools by giving away bespoke designed promotional banners and window graphic displays to help the local community as part of their golden anniversary.
The Ken White Signs ‘Gold Pant Mile’ taking place in Tiverton Town Centre, is being held on Friday 14th July with a 6.30pm start and all funds raised will go to CLIC Sargent, supporting young lives vs cancer. The fun walk/run will start from Tiverton’s Pannier Market and each individual, or team must include a pair of gold pants within their costume and to raise monies for this worthy charity.
Every day, 11 children and young people in the UK hear the shocking news they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading provider of support for young cancer patients under the age of 25, and their families. When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. Cancer affects every part of life, for the young person and their families – relationships, confidence, money, school, and work. CLIC Sargent care teams fight tirelessly to minimise the damage it causes.
CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager for Cornwall and Devon, Jordan Anderton said: “CLIC Sargent is extremely grateful for the hard work and support we are receiving from Ken White Signs.
"The money they plan to raise will make a huge difference to the families we support and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ken White Signs and everyone involved with this event for all their efforts. The support, enthusiasm and hard work they have shown is hugely appreciated.”
He adds: “The money that Ken White Signs are aiming to raise, £2000, could fund a room in one of CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home for two months.”
CLIC Sargent Homes from Homes provide free self-catering accommodation near to specialist children’s cancer treatment centres, which are often many miles from a family’s own home.
Staying in a Home from Home ensures a family can not only be close to their child during treatment, but also alleviates any financial concerns on where to stay. If they are well enough, the child or young person can stay there too.
The inspiration for Ken White Signs choosing CLIC Sargent as the designated charity for ‘The Gold Pant Mile’ results from the Grand Western Canal 10k Walk/Run which has been an annual fundraising event for the charity for nearly a quarter of a century, but has taken a break this year.
The popular fundraiser was initially organised by couple Effie and Graham Mason for 21 years, before being taken on by Mike & Kylie Butt over the last three years, as a result of their son, Olly being diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) in February 2009.
Kylie Butt said: “We have done many different fundraisers, raising tens of thousands of pounds, before taking on the Canal Walk/Run with the help of our wonderful friends who eventually came to be the Grand Western Canal Walk/Run Committee.
"Effie and Graham decided to step down and were upset that the event would come to an end. Olly had finished his three-year treatment at this point, so Mike and I decided to take on the organising and give the event a new lease of life with added fundraising attractions.
"This year we had to take a break as our eldest son Alex, together with the children of the majority of the committee, are doing their GCSE's and they need our help and support.
"We are delighted, therefore, that Ken White Signs is helping to carry on the tradition and chosen CLIC Sargent as their charity for their exciting ‘Gold Pant Mile’ to celebrate their golden milestone in 2017.”
She comments further: “We will definitely continue to fundraise for CLIC Sargent in some way for as long as we can and the good news is that Olly is doing really well and having his check-ups when he needs to, but doing all the normal things which is so wonderful.”
Come and join Ken White Signs in ‘The Gold Pant Mile’ fun run in aid of CLIC Sargent.
Friday 14th July 2017 – 6.30pm start – Pannier Market, Tiverton.
Please register by contacting Angie Dunn T: 01884 253795. E: angie@kenwhitesigns.co.uk.
We ask that each individual taking part, raise a minimum of £15 towards the charity and includes a pair of gold pants within their costume.
