TO celebrate raising £20 million for its charity partner, Cancer Research, ScottishPower has launched a new online campaign.

The 20 Reasons to Smile campaign on Instagram is bringing together a team of illustrators to illustrate reasons to smile over the festive season.

Deborah James, writer and host of the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C is leading the campaign. She was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer two years ago, aged just 35.

James said: “The work that Cancer Research UK does every day to help people like me is so important and that’s why I’m thrilled to be working with ScottishPower to help celebrate reaching such a momentous fundraising target. Raising £20m in just six years is outstanding.

“I simply would not be here today without research; it’s as simple as that.

“So my reason to smile is the hope that research gives me, the hope that it will allow me to continue living life to the fullest.”

The energy firm renewed its partnership, which started in 2012, until 2021 earlier this year, and they are “more determined than ever” after a range of fundraising events, such as Race for Life and Stand Up To Cancer.

Mark Bowen, UK marketing director at ScottishPower, said: “When we entered into our partnership with Cancer Research UK, raising £20m was something we could only have dreamed of. Our 20 Reasons to Smile Instagram campaign is the perfect way to celebrate and to encourage others to learn a little more about the amazing work of this charity.

“We’re really pleased to be working with Deborah to have the opportunity to hear first-hand the impact that research can have.”

Frances Milner, executive director of philanthropy and partnerships at Cancer Research UK said: “ScottishPower employees have thrown themselves heart and soul into fundraising for the charity and should feel immensely proud of this amazing achievement.

“Our ambition at Cancer Research UK is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured and this will only be possible thanks to our supporters, as we receive no funding from the UK Government for our research.”