The Coventry Jets have announced a partnership with the charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
The Jets have long since worked with several charities but this agreement marks the first time that the former British Champions have made a long term commitment to one group.
Whilst the Jets have already participated in a photoshoot to help promote awareness of Macmillan’s Coffee Morning the partnership will kick-off in grand fashion at the end of April with the first Macmillan Bowl.
Having recently announced their 2012 schedule, Jets General Manager Adam Biggs has now revealed that the home opener against the West Coast Trojans on Sunday the 22nd of April will be run in conjunction with Macmillan with all gate receipts donated to the charity. The teams last met in the 2005 playoffs with Coventry running out 55-6 victors, however, the game looks to be a different prospect this time around. Coming off a winless season in which they were relegated the Jets will be looking to bounce back against a buoyant Trojans side that earned promotion in 2011.
The game, taking place at Coventry Saracens RFC, Bredon Avenue, Coventry, is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 and Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager for Coventry and Warwickshire, Mandy Spraggett, is looking forward to her first taste of American Football “I’ve never been to a game before but I’ve seen clips on the TV. I’m very excited to be a part of this and I’m looking forward to continuing working with the Jets in the future.”
Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. “One in three people will get cancer” said Spraggett “and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. We are a source of support, helping with all the things that people affected by cancer want and need. It's not only patients who live with cancer, we also help carers, families and communities. We guide people through the system, supporting them every step of the way. We fund nurses and other specialist health care professionals and build cancer care centres.
“People need practical support at home, so we provide anything from some precious time off for a carer, to a lift to hospital. People need emotional support, so we listen, advise and share information though our cancer support specialists, website and trained professionals. People need financial help to cope with the extra costs cancer can bring, so we give benefits advice, and grants for anything from heating bills to travel costs. Together we listen, we learn, we act to help people live with cancer.”
Biggs added “listening to people affected by cancer and working together to improve cancer care is very important in helping deal with it. People who live with cancer are experts by experience. We can use this knowledge to make a positive difference to the lives of people affected by cancer. This could be anything from getting a coffee machine installed in a waiting room, to bringing about changes in the law. We’ve always been a club that’s looked to be proactive in the community and we’re delighted to help Macmillan by raising awareness and much needed funds. We believe we can all help, whether that’s raising money – through marathons, coffee mornings, street collections, sponsored events or American Football matches.”
In the coming months the Jets will also be supporting the opening of Macmillan’s new Cancer Information Centre opening on the 31st May in George Eliot Hospital, as well as taking part in the Macmillan Bedworth Park to Pit walk on the 27th May 2012. For further details on Macmillan visit their website www.macmillan.org.uk, for details on how to become a part of the Coventry Jets visit their new website www.covjets.com.