Valneva Scotland, the largest vaccine producer in the country, has joined forces with the local West Lothian charity, Team Jak, in a bid to aid young people with cancer. Situated in Livingston, Valneva Scotland is extending year-long support to Team Jak through sponsorship at West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration offers the charity access to various additional forms of support via the Chamber, including Valneva Scotland’s employees volunteering and fundraising for Team Jak throughout the year.
Team Jak’s primary focus is to provide emotional, social, and practical assistance to children and young people aged 0-25 with cancer across Scotland. They offer a range of services such as music therapy, counselling, and engaging activity days. The charity, headquartered at Jak’s Den in Ochil House, Livingston, operates multiple outreach hubs across Scotland to offer support, comfort, and respite to families facing challenging times.
This partnership marks a continuation of Valneva’s dedication to Team Jak, following a successful collaboration that saw over 30 Valneva volunteers enhancing Team Jak’s headquarters in 2023. This transformation aimed to create a more welcoming environment for the young people and families benefiting from the charity’s services. By sponsoring Team Jak, Valneva provides the charity with the opportunity to leverage the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce’s influential business network and support systems.
Greig Rooney, the Managing Director at Valneva Scotland, expressed pride in supporting Team Jak’s mission of helping young individuals and families affected by cancer. The commitment from Valneva includes offering volunteering hours throughout 2024 and beyond as a key aspect of their people strategy and broader ESG program. Allison Barr, the Chief Executive at Team Jak, highlighted the critical role their services play in providing comfort and support during challenging periods in young people’s lives.
The support from organisations like Valneva enables Team Jak to expand their compassionate care and ongoing assistance, ensuring that young individuals and their families do not face these challenges alone. Paul Hunter, Chief Executive of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, lauded Valneva’s decision to support Team Jak, emphasizing the importance of such charitable sponsorships in providing comprehensive support to local charities.
This initiative enables Team Jak to attend Chamber member events at no cost, enhancing their ability to forge partnerships with local businesses and promote the charity’s growth. For more information on Jak’s Den and how to support its services, visit www.teamjak.org.uk. This collaboration underscores the power of partnerships between businesses and charities in the local community, showcasing the positive impact such initiatives can have on supporting those in need.