Top Scottish swimmer trains with ScottishPower employee Vicki Dickson to celebrate new partnership with Cancer Research UK

Gold medallist and Team Scotland star, swimmer Ross Murdoch, has joined forces with ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK to celebrate their new three year partnership which will help to fight the battle against cancer.

Ross, who has just taken part in the British Swimming Championships, took time out of his busy schedule to help ScottishPower employee, Vicki Dickson, train for the water leg of the hard-core ‘Tough Mudder’ event, where she will raise money for Cancer Research UK. The swimming star shared some of his top training tips with Vicki who is a Marketing Manager for the energy firm to help her prepare for the event in June. The masterclass took place at Lochgoin Reservoir near Whitelee Windfarm, a stark contrast from the muddy waters that Vicki will be competing in at her event in June.

The masterclass marks a three year extension to the energy firm’s partnership with Cancer Research UK. ScottishPower launched its association with the charity in 2012 with the aim of raising £5 million over 3 years, but smashed this target 6 months ahead of schedule in October 2014. ScottishPower has now raised in excess of £6 million for Cancer Research UK and they’re not stopping there.

Ross Murdoch commented on the training session: “I am delighted to be here today to help Vicki with her training and celebrate this important partnership between ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK.

“It’s essential that we do everything we can to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Vicki is giving her time and energy to help raise money for vital research and I hope her competitors know who they’re up against!”

“Scientific developments affect so much of my life, from the food I eat to the way I train, and it’s great to know that ScottishPower is making this commitment to Cancer Research UK, so that the important research needed to beat cancer can continue. With the help of ScottishPower we can work together to show the world that collectively we have the energy to beat cancer sooner.”

Neil Clitheroe, CEO ScottishPower Retail & Generation, said:  “At ScottishPower, our commitment to making a difference stretches beyond energy. Our customers and employees like Vicki have shown amazing support for Cancer Research UK over the last 3 years, and their willingness to get involved in the fight against cancer has been inspiring.

“One in two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and Cancer Research UK is fighting the battle against all cancers.  We are delighted to have donated over £6 million so far and are committed to continuing to raise funds over the next 3 years to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

Caroline Silke, Head of Corporate Partnerships, said: “Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years. ScottishPower’s commitment to raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK is really making a difference to help beat cancer sooner.”
ScottishPower is committed to its partnership with Cancer Research UK and employees have put their heart and soul into innovative fundraising initiatives ranging from bake-offs to bikeathons and last year produced their very own version of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ – We’ve Got Talent where talented ScottishPower employees performed to an audience of over 400 people.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Millions of lives have been saved by discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and survival rates have doubled over the past 40 years.

For further information please contact Kirsty MacLeod or Jen Ward at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8628  spretail@stripecommunications.com

About ScottishPower:

• ScottishPower is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the largest energy companies in Europe, and the world leader in operating wind energy.  Iberdrola’s main operating areas are Spain, the UK, US, Mexico and Brazil.
• In the UK, as well as being a major retail energy supplier, ScottishPower manages the electricity network which supports millions of homes and businesses and is one of the largest producers of renewable electricity.
• The company now manages more than 5.6 million retail customer accounts.
• SP Energy Networks look after more than 100,000 km of power lines and over 30,000 substations, delivering electricity to more than 3.5 million homes and businesses in Scotland, the North West of England and North Wales. ScottishPower Renewables is one of the leading developers of green electricity, with more than 25 operational windfarms and a healthy pipeline of onshore, offshore, wave and tidal reneweable energy projects in development.

About Cancer Research UK:

• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research
• Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.
• Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.