Energetic fundraiser inspires others
524. Luke Claxton
A 31 year old man from Hartford, Cambridgeshire raises money for local charities in memory of his mother.
The award was presented to Luke Claxton by Samantha Cameron at a Downing Street reception for CLIC Sargent, one of the charities he supports.
After Luke’s mother passed away from cancer in 2008, he decided to honour her memory by raising funds for local charities. Luke established the Veronica Claxton Memorial Fund in 2009 and has since raised a huge amount of money for charities including over £100,000 for the charity CLIC Sargent who helped Luke’s nine year old son with a non cancerous blood disorder. Today, he will visit Downing Street in recognition of his achievements.
Since Luke’s mother passed away, he has taken on numerous sporting challenges and activities with the goal of supporting local charities close to his heart. Luke has run two marathons and the Great North Run. He has organised three separate boxing match auctions as well as eight annual golf days for over 100 attendees each summer.
Luke has also inspired his community to get involved in his fundraising. In 2015, Luke and 15 friends and family members cycled over 90 miles around London’s football stadiums and a smaller group walked 100km in a day from London to Cambridge. He was joined by 40 people to take a walking challenge across all of London’s bridges, and led a team of 50 people cycling to Cambridge from Huntingdon and back in December to drop off Christmas presents for the children on the ward at Addenbrookes hospital.
Luke has now set his sights on challenges for this summer. He’ll be cycling around local villages to spell FIGHT CANCER, taking the first letter from each village on the 2nd July. His annual golf event day will be on 29 July at Lakeside Lodge in Cambridgeshire. Later in the year he will lead 16 friends for almost 300 miles on a bike ride from London to Paris. In 2017, his goals are even bigger, he plans to run three marathons in a week, and walk from the Hunstanton coast to the capital. His latest fundraising target is to raise another £250,000 for CLIC Sargent.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Luke has shown tremendous energy and commitment in his fundraising work for CLIC Sargent. From inspiring others to join him in walking and cycling challenges, to organising an annual golf day, Luke has raised a fantastic amount of money to help the charity support sick children. I am delighted to recognise his service by making him the UK’s 524th Point of Light.”
Luke Claxton said:
“I was shocked and stunned when I was informed I’d been chosen as a point of light.
While I don’t raise funds for awards or acknowledgment it is of course amazing to be recognised in such a high profile way. As always I accept this award on behalf of me and my team, I’m just the man at the front shouting the loudest and trying to put things together for us all to enjoy. Without them and their unbelievably loyal support none of what we try and do would be possible. There are far too many to name individually but I hope they read this and recognise how grateful I am for all their help and passion. Having an amazing family and group of friends behind me makes what we do that little bit more special.
My mum was a special person with the kindest heart who left a huge void in so many lives so to be able to continue her legacy while helping to improve and potentially save lives brings us all great comfort. We will continue to serve her beautiful kind ways as much as we can. Once again thank you all involved with the POL scheme and to my incredible support team. Let’s kick on from here.”