Lottery cash helps to create kids cancer service
A leading cancer support charity has secured funding to create a new service for children and young people who are affected by the disease.
Ayrshire Cancer Support (ACS) has been awarded £195,000 - over three years - from the National Lottery Community Fund (Improving Lives Fund).
The charity identified the urgent need to support youngsters through the emotional challenges which a cancer diagnosis may bring.
Young people who had lost a parent to cancer or who were living with a parent who had been diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic took to social media to form online support groups to help each other cope amidst the lockdown, as they felt there was insufficient support available to them.
As a result of two of these online groups, Let’s Blether - managed by Gaby Williamson from Ayr - and The Unheard Group, run by Gabrielle
Livingstone whose parents live in Cumnock - ACS looked to identify what local support would be available for people like Gaby and Gabrielle, and the hundreds of others in a similar situation.
The new service will see specialist counsellors and therapists work directly with children and young people, with preparations for this now underway.
Gaby lost her father to cancer during the pandemic and has been actively campaigning for additional support for young people and children experiencing grief.
She said:“Support services for children and young people are key within local communities, so for ACS to announce this new service which will be starting later in the year, it creates a huge sense of hope for many young people.”
Louise Graham, head of cancer support services at ACS, said:“We will offer emotional support to young people and children through professional counselling, play therapy and support groups.”
Laura Brown, head of income and communications for ACS, thanked funders and added: “Whilst the National Lottery have committed funding in years two and three, we hope we will have the support of the Ayrshire community to help us raise the additional £65,000 we require for those years, to ensure we can continue to help local children and young people at a time when they need us most.
“We have a special fundraising pack for schools, community groups and individuals to help give ideas, hints and tips about how to raise funds for this much needed service.”
For further information about the plans for the service, or to help raise funds towards it, please call (01563) 538008.