The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally, founded in 2018 by Gary Cook, honours the memory of his father, Rodney Cook who sadly passed away at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in 2017 after his battle with cancer. Driven by a heartfelt commitment to supporting Cancer Services, Gary ensures that proceeds from ticket sales, raffles and other event activities go towards Cancer Services at the RUH.
Since its inception, the Rodney Cook Memorial Rally (RCM) has grown into one of the largest metal detecting events in Europe, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe and earning it the nickname, ‘The Glastonbury of Metal Detecting.’
Ruby Guymer-Parker, Community & Volunteer Officer at RUHX says: “I had the pleasure of attending the rally in August, the care and detail that goes in to organising these events is astounding. The sheer scale of the event takes months and months of planning, and the RCM team do an incredible job of creating such a wonderful event.
The continued support that Gary and his whole team provide is amazing and we are so grateful, this support will help change lives for cancer patients in Bath and Beyond.”
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire, and diagnoses approximately 2200 new cases of cancer each year making it one of the largest cancer centres in the South West.
The RCM team recently presented a cheque donating an incredible £60,124 to RUHX in support of Cancer Services at the RUH from this year’s events alone. Making their overall fundraising total donated to the RUH now over £240,000. This incredible donation will help change lives for cancer patients now and in the future.
And in what was a great 2024 for Gary and the team, they were recognised as the local region Pride of Britain fundraiser of the year winners. Getting the opportunity to attend the recent televised finals ceremony in central London and meet with other extraordinary fundraisers.