On Thursday 26 April, 21 property industry friends and colleagues took part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the ‘Steve Burne Rooms’ at Manchester’s Ronald McDonald House, completing the 24-mile challenge in under just over 10 hours and raising almost £50,000 in the process.
Steve Burne has been a stalwart of the Manchester property scene for over 20 years as MD of AEW Architects and Chairman of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Construction & Property Sector. More importantly for this cause, as Chairman and tireless champion of Ronald McDonald House he has facilitated fundraising campaigns that have raised over £4m for the House.
Last year, aged 46, Steve was tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Steve was never going to go without a fight and is undergoing gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to prolong the time he has left with his three amazing children, wonderfully supportive family and many, many friends.
In recognition of Steve’s support over so many years, the charity has committed to converting part of the building into additional bedrooms and naming this next phase of development ‘The Steve Burne Rooms’.
Steve was surprised, humbled and honoured by this recognition and, even in the face of adversity, committed his time to raising the £250,000 needed for the conversion to take place, a milestone which he reached this week.
Ian Sherry commented:“Steve has given so much to those around him and in particular to our industry. We set an ambitious target of raising £40,000 for this challenge and the support we have received has been amazing; it’s a clear reflection of the affection that people have for Steve and Ronald McDonald House.”
Steve continued: “I am so lucky to have such great friends and overwhelming support from the property industry. This challenge has raised an amazing amount, that will make such a difference to the families with children in hospital. I wanted not just for people to donate but for my friends to get involved and do something for the new rooms because the feeling it creates when that happens is amazing and shows what a brilliant sector we work in. I have been so fortunate to meet some of my best friends doing this unbelievable challenge, via this industry and I can’t express how grateful I am for that.”