Dyke Yaxley Chartered Accountants raising funds for Lingen Davies
Colleagues at a Shropshire accountancy firm have launched a fundraising campaign to support a local charity that’s very close to their hearts.
Each year the team at Dyke Yaxley Chartered Accountants, in Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury, nominates a chosen charity and then they take part in a whole host of activities to raise as much cash as possible.
Marketing co-ordinator Jackie Young said this year’s campaign would be Lingen Davies Cancer Support.
“At Dyke Yaxley, we’re proud to support local charities that make a real difference to our community, and one of the most meaningful partnerships for us is with the Lingen Davies Cancer Support.
“Many people know that Lingen Davies is a vital charity supporting cancer services in Shropshire and Mid Wales – but fewer people realise just how closely the charity is connected to the Dyke Yaxley story.”
Jackie said the charity was initially established in 1979 by Bernard Lingen (who was then the Mayor of Shrewsbury), and Frank Davies – a local accountant.
“Their vision was to improve cancer treatment services for local people who previously had to travel long distances to receive radiotherapy and other specialised care.
“Frank Davies played a crucial role in setting up the charity, helping to raise the initial £1.25 million needed to build and equip a new radiotherapy department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital thanks to an extraordinary community effort.
“But what many people might know is that Frank Davies was an accountant at Yaxley Davies & Co, which went on to become the Dyke Yaxley we are today.”
Jackie said the connection was even deeper as Margaret Cooper, who worked closely with Frank during the early fundraising campaign was also a secretary at Yaxley Davies and later at Dyke Yaxley until her retirement.
“And today, Frank’s son Geoff remains part of our team continuing the strong family and community ties.
“Choosing Lingen Davies Cancer Support as it is now known, to be our charity of the year, is not only a way for us to give back, but also a chance to celebrate and honour the deep roots our firm has in this inspirational local story.”
Steph Smith, Head of Philanthropy Fundraising at Lingen Davies, said it’s through the support of companies like Dyke Yaxley that the organisation can continue to deliver such a wide range of services to patients – and those who care for patients.
“We’re tremendously grateful to the team at Dyke Yaxley for nominating us as their chosen partner, and it’s a lovely tribute to the history of the firm and origins of Lingen Davies.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team over the next two years to help them reach their own fundraising targets, all of which will contribute to our Sunflower Appeal. We also need to continue raising funds for our other support services including our wellbeing programme which is delivered across our region to support patients, and their families who are all impacted by cancer,” she added.
The Dyke Yaxley team will now throw themselves into a raft of activities and challenges to raise funds for our £5m Sunflower Appeal that aims to double the capacity of chemotherapy services available to patients across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales.
The Appeal’s ultimate goal is the creation of the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital which is scheduled to open in 2029.
