Esso Bermuda raised $26,000 for a local cancer charity to help meets its “staggering” operational costs.The petrol company presented PALS with a cheque so that the organisation can continue to help cancer patients who wish to remain in their homes rather than be hospitalised.The donation was raised through Esso’s “Help Us Help” promotion, whereby for every gallon of gas that was pumped at Esso stations from November 21, 2011 through to January 6, 2012, five cents was donated to the PALS Bermuda. Participating Esso stations, included Sandys, Port Royal, Warwick, BIU, Esso City 24/7, Collector’s Hill, Crawl and St George’s.“I cannot possibly express our deep gratitude to Esso and to all those who participated in Esso’s ‘Help Us Help’ promotion which resulted in the wonderful donation of $26,000 to PALS,” said Ann Smith Gordon of PALS.“From a budget of $500 in 1980, we must now find a staggering $100,000 every month in order to give the cancer patients of Bermuda all the care and comfort they need and deserve. In spite of our own ongoing fund raising efforts, there is no way that our work would be possible without the generous support of so many within our community.”Lead country manager of Esso Bermuda, Mark Fields, added: “We are very pleased with the amount that we were able to raise. ‘Help Us Help’ was a concerted effort between the local Esso Dealers, customers and Esso Bermuda to support PALS in the continuance of their work. It is the view of Esso Bermuda Staff and Dealers that the PALS organisation, with their workers and volunteers, provide an extraordinary service to the community of Bermuda for those most in need. The caring service provided is of the highest quality and with a loving heart. Esso Bermuda, Dealers and customers extend best wishes to PALS in their future endeavours.”All proceeds raised will go to PALS in order to assist the organisation’s daily operations and to aid in the provisions of medical supplies to its patients.