Esh Group coffee mornings help raise almost £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support
Alongside her role as Framework Customer & Service Delivery Manager at Esh-Stantec, Christine has become one of Macmillan's most successful fundraisers in the region, recently being recognised as the charity's top fundraiser in the North East for the second year running.
Despite the scale of her achievement, Christine is quick to credit her colleagues, supply chain partners and clients, who have consistently supported her fundraising journey.
For Christine, supporting Macmillan is deeply personal. Having seen several close friends diagnosed with cancer and experienced her own breast cancer diagnosis during the Covid-19 pandemic, she has first-hand experience of the support Macmillan provides to people and families facing some of life's most difficult challenges.
"It was a living nightmare," she said. "Macmillan nurses have supported me ever since my diagnosis."
Christine first came into contact with the charity more than 20 years ago and has spent much of that time fundraising to give back. Esh Group enabled her to take those efforts even further.
"Esh gives me the platform to do it and I'm incredibly grateful for that," she said.
This year's event alone raised more than £7,100, while creating an opportunity for colleagues, clients and partners to come together behind a cause that affects so many.
One of the most moving features of this year's coffee morning was a remembrance photo board, where colleagues shared photographs of loved ones they had lost to cancer.
“It makes the cause very real and reminds us why the fundraising matters so much,” she said.
For Christine, the response reflected the culture at Esh, where people go out of their way to support each other and make a positive difference. Whether supporting colleagues through difficult times, rallying behind charitable causes or giving their time to help others, she believes there is a shared willingness across the business to make a difference.
"My team are incredible. Their support, both professionally and personally, means everything to me," she said. "When I was diagnosed, the support around me was immeasurable. I honestly don't think you find that in every workplace.”
"We've all got a story. We've all got something that's affected us or someone we care about," Christine said. "If I can make a difference to even one person's life, then I will."
Cancer touches so many lives, and Christine's incredible commitment is helping make sure more people facing it know they are not alone. Her fundraising is raising vital support for Macmillan, while bringing people together around a cause that matters to so many.
To donate to Macmillan Cancer Support and learn more about its work, visit: Macmillan Cancer Support | The UK's leading cancer care charity.
