As a charity which values its people, we wanted to recognise and thank a small group of our long-standing, committed supporters.

Our ambassadors group was set up with the agreement of Sarcoma UK’s Board of Trustees. They include fundraisers, volunteers, past trustees, patients, support group workers and healthcare professionals. In essence, they are all very special champions and advocates of our work, many motivated through personal experience of sarcoma or of those of family or friends.

Spotlight on: Gina Long

First Sarcoma UK Ambassador and long-term fundraiser

Gina Long MBE is Founder of The GeeWizz Charitable Foundation, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, free-lance journalist, and global charity campaigner. She was awarded an MBE for services to the charity sector in December 2015. She was also made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Suffolk in October 2018.

Among her many charitable achievements, she has raised nearly £7 million.

Gina founded one of the first Global Online Auctions, the Ultimate Charity Auction which has raised more than £2.1 million since its inception in 2011. More recently, Gina worked alongside John and Imogen Sheeran on the Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction raising £506,000, of which funded the much-needed redevelopment of three playgrounds at the Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy, Ipswich.

Away from fundraising, Gina mentors and supports other charities such as Sarcoma UK, and lives on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds with her husband Andrew, who is a farmer.

In April 2017, Gina successfully completed the London Marathon to raise money and awareness for Sarcoma UK, raising over £18,000. Gina has been an avid campaigner and fundraiser for Sarcoma UK since her daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with a myxoid liposarcoma in September 2013, aged just 23. Ali is now thankfully 10 years clear. Hence, GeeWizz proudly continuing to help fund crucial sarcoma cancer research.