Staff and students are making a contribution towards solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today by supporting medical research here at Warwick.

Students Jim Tindill, Paul Norman and Matthew Crispey recently ran the Warwick half marathon to raise funds for the 50Forward campaign, which aims to tackle important issues and offer opportunities to students. The running team had benefitted from the fund through scholarships and the Opportunity Fund, and explained:

By supporting the campaign, we hope to be able to give others the same opportunities we've been lucky enough to receive ourselves. But that's not all that 50Forward does. If it wasn't for institutions such as Warwick with a responsibility to the global community, groundbreaking work in areas such as medical research - for example cancer research and research into reproductive health - would not be where it is today."

Six members of staff from the Development Office are showing their support by taking part in the Two Castles Run to raise funds for cancer research projects at Warwick Medical School. The projects offer direct and practical impact to cancer patients, for example on the side effects of treatment.

Christine Fearn, Jaine Fleetwood, Stella Hull, Ian Rowley, Izzy Sticklee and Luke Taylor are running the 10km race between Warwick Castle and Kenilworth Castle on 9 June 2013.

Luke commented

Many people don’t realise that if they give to charities in areas such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and infant health, the funds end up funding research at universities such as Warwick. We want staff and students to consider helping Warwick’s projects where all of their funds raised will go directly to the cause."

Stuart Croft, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Fundraising, says

It is wonderful to learn that University staff are raising funds for cancer research at Warwick. All of us know someone affected by cancer and our own university is finding some of the solutions. I hope that you will join me in helping the Cancer at Warwick team to further Warwick’s cancer research."

If you've signed up for the Two Castles Run and would like to join the team please contact Izzy Sticklee at izzy dot sticklee at warwick dot ac dot uk. Team t-shirts will be provided!

To support the team's fundraising efforts to reach their £2000 goal, you can either make a donation at www.warwick.ac.uk/donate or support a member of the team on their Justgiving web page.

About 50Forward

Donations from alumni and friends to 50Forward benefit the local and global community in a number of other ways including: scholarships, library resources, Warwick Volunteers, Warwick in Africa, the Students’ Union, student prizes, medical electives and work experience bursaries.