Members of GMA staff collected donations from attendees of the awards ceremony held at the Vox, Birmingham NEC, on the first day of SALTEX 2022.

Cancer Research UK undertakes pioneering work into how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, and has already benefited millions of lives since its inception.

Cancer survival in the UK has doubled over the last 40 years. In the 1970s just 1 in 4 people survived the disease for 10 years or more. Today 2 in 4 survive. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to see 3 in 4 patients surviving the disease by 2034.

The charity was picked as the GMA’s charity of choice this year due to the number of friends and relatives of the GMA impacted by cancer.

Geoff Webb, Chief Executive Officer at the GMA, said:

“We were struck by the fact that so many people linked to the GMA had been affected by cancer, including Pitchcare editor, Kerry Haywood. We wanted to recognise all those individuals that have suffered the loss of a friend or relative, and to remember them with fondness by fundraising for Cancer Research UK. 2022 marks 20 years since Cancer Research UK was formed, and 120 years since the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, so it was the ideal time to celebrate the milestones.

“As we tentatively emerge from the pandemic, it is clear to see that we must use every means possible to raise funds if we are to beat this deadly disease. I am incredibly grateful to see the generosity of our audience at the awards, especially during the current economic climate. Thank you.”

We would like to encourage people to still donate if they can, which can be done here.

ENDS

The Grounds Management Association

Established in 1934, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) is the UK’s leading industry body for the sports turf and grounds care sector.

A not-for-profit membership organisation, the GMA promotes and protects the interests of professional and volunteer grounds people who make sport possible by keeping green spaces and playing surfaces safe, accessible, and sustainable across educational establishments, community facilities, and sports clubs at grassroot, amateur, and professional levels.

Together with members, we work with organisations, industry bodies, public sector authorities and technical specialists to develop and promote industry standards and best practice, provide education opportunities and career pathways, publish industry news and insight, and promote the profession to help attract and build a sustainable skilled talent pipeline for the future.

The GMA is a government accredited organisation meeting the Matrix Standard for the provision of high-quality technical information, advice, and guidance, and further supports the wider industry by providing a series of industry-leading knowledge building and networking events, including Europe’s largest sports amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX.