CRAIG MAXWELL EXCEEDS £2M FUNDRAISING TARGET AFTER SINCLAIR GROUP CHARITY GALA

Craig Maxwell has exceeded his £2m target for his charity, Maxwell Family Fund, with the help of Wales’ biggest motor retailer, Sinclair Group.

At a glamorous event at Celtic Manor Resort on 29th October, around 750 guests, made up of businesses, entrepreneurs and stars, came together to celebrate Craig and help raise money to exceed his £2m target for charities including Velindre Cancer Care.

In total, Sinclair Group’s black-tie gala helped to raise £631,000. The target was reached through a highly impressive auction, which included hospitality tickets to F1 Silverstone, centre court tickets and hospitality for Wimbledon, and a private dining experience with two-Michelin-star chef, Gareth Ward. There were also an array of raffle prizes, which included a brand new Breitling watch.

Hosting the evening was TV host and good friend of Craig’s, Gethin Jones. Celebrity guests included Nigel Owens, Scott Quinnell, Josh Navidi, Lauren Salter, and George North, who all have personal relationships with Craig and have supported his fundraising efforts over the years too.

The money, along with everything Craig has previously raised, will help families across Wales facing cancer have access to faster diagnosis and better opportunities for treatment. Craig started fundraising in 2022, after being diagnosed with incurable stage 4 EGFR lung and bone cancer at the age of 40. Since his diagnosis, Craig has become one of Wales' leading cancer research fundraisers, creating a legacy and inspiring thousands to support his charity work.

On the event, Andy Sinclair, Managing Director at Sinclair Group said: “I’m so proud to see so many people come together to celebrate and support my good friend, Craig and the Maxwell Family Fund. He is an absolute superhuman who is creating the most extraordinary legacy. Our fundraising tonight was more than double what we estimated, and my biggest thank you goes to everyone who joined us - it’s certainly been a night to remember.”

Gethin Jones said: “To raise over £2 MILLION is quite a remarkable feat. At the heart of it is one man, his family and an extraordinary determination to turn the toughest circumstances into something positive for others. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a friend of Craig.”

Craig Maxwell said: “I’m genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by everyone. To have raised £631,000 in one evening and taken our fundraising total beyond £2.3 million is something I could never have imagined when this journey began.

“What means the most to me is knowing that this money will make a real difference to people and families facing cancer, giving others hope and support when they need it most.

“I cannot thank Andy Sinclair and the entire team enough for what they have done. The kindness, effort and love that went into making this evening happen is something my family and I will never forget.

“To everyone who joined us, donated, supported us and stood alongside me throughout this journey, thank you. You have given me and my family memories we will cherish forever, and together we are making a difference that will last far beyond tonight.”

Richard Parks was also in attendance during the night, which made the perfect moment for Craig to also announce his next fundraising challenge. The Maxwell Everest Challenge will take place next year at Principality Stadium, where teams will climb the upper tier staircases 447 times until they reach the equivalent height of Everest (8,848 metres). Already, more than 77 teams of people have signed up - another testament to Craig, the legacy he’s building, and the support network he’s built over the years.

When Craig first started fundraising, his initial target was £300,000, so exceeding £2m is an extraordinary effort, leaving the greatest legacy for his family and helping so many people who are going through cancer treatment.

If you would like to support Craig’s fundraising, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/maxwellfamily-genomicsfund 

To join the waitlist for Maxwell Everest Challenge, visit www.themaxwellchallenge.com.