Cool Christmas for families at respite lodge in St Andrews

Treat: Family-run ice cream business gifts sweet surprise to young cancer patients and their families

Families visiting TCCL Lodge in St Andrews over the festive season enjoyed an extra cool Christmas treat thanks to the generosity of local business Jannettas Gelateria.

The St Andrews-based family-run ice cream shop has had close links with TCCL Lodge, run by the charity Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia, since the holiday house opened its doors in October 2015 following a £500,000 fundraising campaign.

The charity provides a week of free accommodation for families from across Scotland affected by childhood cancer.

Many local businesses have been very supportive of the lodge, including Jannettas which has supplied ice cream and vouchers for its South Street gelateria.

Over the festive season, three families will be able to enjoy a special ice cream cake from Jannettas.

Lodge manager Biz Logan said: “We are very grateful to Jannettas for all their support; these cakes will help make Christmas extra special for families going through the cancer journey.”

The TCCL Lodge is a holiday home in St Andrews which is available free of charge to families who are affected by childhood cancer and leukaemia.

It is a four-bedroom detached house in a quiet residential part the town, and is also within 30 minutes of Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital which can provide all the services which might be needed urgently by a child with cancer or leukaemia.

Families are able to have some respite from the arduous treatments often involved for children with cancer and leukaemia by enjoying a holiday together.

Charmain Duthie, Jannettas business development manager, added: “Christmas is such a special time of year for families but we know that it can be especially poignant for those families with children who have cancer.

“So, we thought what better way to support those staying at TCCL Lodge than by spreading a bit of Christmas cheer and gifting one of our Christmas gelato cakes to be enjoyed by all during this special time while staying in St Andrews.”

These cakes will help make Christmas extra special for families going through the cancer journey. LODGE MANAGER BIZ LOGAN

Picture: Steven Brown. The Fletcher family children try the ice cream cake surprise. From left: 16-year-old Megan, Jodie, 9, Ewan, 12, Ty, 14, and 15-year-old John.