The Reed Foundation donates £10,000 to Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre

The Reed Foundation, part of the Reed Group, is donating £10,000 every week, for a year, to support 52 different charities, chosen by its employees. This means that by April 2025, The Reed Foundation will have donated an incredible £520,000. The initiative is a celebration of Reed’s 65th year of business and its Founder, Sir Alec’s 90th birthday.

Every week, a Reed employee is drawn randomly to nominate a charity of their choice to receive the incredible donation. This time around, it was Derrick Codling – a talent acquisition specialist for Reed Talent Solutions based in Reed’s Bristol office, who opted to support the Bristol-based charity.

Speaking about his reasons for nominating the local charity, Derrick said: “It was a simple decision for me to pick Friends of Bristol Bristol’s Haematology and Oncology Centre. My sister Carol went on to work at the Oncology Centre, after she had previously been diagnosed and treated for cancer, and she went on to receive further treatment there later in her life.

“I know firsthand how important considerate and strong support is for those undergoing cancer treatment, as well as for their close friends and family. I also know how that support can often be constrained, mostly due to funding, and so I hope this donation will go towards helping other families that have been through what my family went through, so they can receive the much-needed support during difficult times.”

Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre works to improve the environment in which the patients are treated, and it provides comfort and support to them and their families throughout treatment. They also provide funds for new equipment and research into new treatments.

Olivia Grogono, Chair of the Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, said "I have been involved with the charity for over 20 years. We make a difference to the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre by funding equipment and supporting the staff.

“We are regularly being asked by the Centre for funds, and donations enable us to help with many requests, such as providing equipment to improve patients’ wellbeing.

“We are so thankful to Reed’s co-member, Derrick Codling, who nominated us for this incredible donation.”

Derrick chose to nominate this charity, as it’s so close to home for him, especially after losing his sister, Carol Codling, and father to cancer, and the centre is also currently supporting his mother as she undergoes cancer treatment. He said: “I know how difficult it is – for both the person going through treatment and for those around them. I simply wanted to be able to make a difference to families that are supporting someone close to them, as it plays a crucial part when you are affected by cancer.”