A COMMUNITY campaign which raised £32,000 in 24 hours is set to return with a fresh look for 2020.

The Gazette-sponsored Ark Day event, which took place last year on Friday, June 21, raised thousands for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity as the community rallied round the cause.

Schools, businesses, individuals and groups united to help the charity get closer to its goal of raising £5million to provide supportive care and services, complementary therapies, and an enhanced environment in a NHS cancer treatment centre at Basingstoke hospital.

And now on Friday, June 26, a second day of fundraising is set to take place for Ark Day 2020.

The charity's committee have started making plans for 2020 which will include week of events and a charity gala dinner. There will be a coffee morning event on Wednesday, June 24, and a charity golf day on Thursday, June 25 – and early-bird supporters who sign up for Ark Day 2020 by February 29 will be entered into a free prize draw.

The Ark Day 2020 campaign will be launched on Saturday, February 15, at the Trane Basingstoke Bison v Swindon Wildcats ice hockey match, which is being sponsored by the charity.

Andy Jackson, chair of the committee, said: “We are delighted with the way local people of all ages got involved in, and supported, the first-ever Ark Day, and our goal is to make the 2020 campaign bigger and better.

“Plans are progressing for Ark Day 2020 and it’s never too soon for schools, businesses and community groups to sign up.

“We are really keen for people to register so they can receive the latest updates and news on Ark Day 2020, and everyone who signs up by February 29 at https://arkday.co.uk/prize-draw/ will be in with the chance of winning.”

Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee Merv Rees said: “Thank you to everyone who supported Ark Day 2019, and particularly the Ark Day Organising Committee who spearheaded the campaign.

“In 2020, people will once again have the power to really make a really big difference with a small donation on Ark Day.

“Nearly 180,000 people live in Basingstoke and Deane. If everyone donates just £1, then this will make a massive difference to Ark’s £5m campaign.”

Schools are being encouraged to hold a non-uniform day on Friday, June 26, 2020, with pupils donating £1 to take part. To sign up, visit arkday.co.uk/sign-up.

Ark Day mascot Moneypenny will be making a welcome return to the campaign trail, and will be visiting all the schools that sign up to take part in Ark Day 2020.