In a remarkable start to the New Year, the Cancer Fund for Children is celebrating winning a brand new minibus that will be used to transport children affected by cancer to residentials at the charity’s Narnia log cabin in Newcastle, County Down.
The charity that provides support for local children affected by cancer and their families, won the minibus from the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway through an online vote after kindly being nominated by local broker CIP Insurance. An impressive feat with over 65 charities nominated throughout the UK.
The new bus was officially handed over to the charity by CIP Insurance and LV= Insurance at Daisy Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break facility at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, in Newcastle, on 13 January 13. Staff from both companies also enjoyed a tour of Daisy Lodge and the adjacent Narnia log cabin.
CIP Insurance has been supporting Cancer Fund for Children for two years and has raised money for the charity by hosting a variety of fundraising events.
The mini-bus will be used to bring children and young people affected by cancer to residentials at the charity’s Narnia Log Cabin in Newcastle and to a range of other locations for activities.
Cancer Fund for Children’s Chief Executive Gillian Creevy, said: “We are overjoyed to have won this fantastic new minibus through the LV= Broker Big Heart Mini Bus Giveaway, and we’re extremely grateful to CIP Insurance for nominating us.
“Unbelievably, it is ten years since we opened the doors to our magical 24 berth residential log cabin facility, Narnia. In the past ten years, the Cancer Fund for Children has hosted over 237 residentials there. It’s a very special place – a world away from hospitals and treatment, anxiety and uncertainty. A world away from cancer.
“Led by our team of Specialists, children have the opportunity to experience some independent living, make new friends, learn new skills – all designed to help them cope with their illness and so they can simply enjoy being a child again. This new minibus will allow us to transport young people from all across the province and to continue our work. A really wonderful 10th anniversary present!”
Mike Crane, Managing Director of LV= Broker said: “Cancer Fund for Children provides an extremely valuable service to children and young people affected by cancer so it’s great to know that our donation of an LV= minibus will make such a difference. Putting people at the heart of what we do is key to LV=’s success and it’s great that we’ve been able to work with our broker partners CIP Insurance to identify such a deserving cause.”
Paul Williamson, Managing Director of CIP Insurance Brokers said: “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to nominate Cancer Fund for Children in the LV= Broker Big Heart Minibus Giveaway. This is a competition open to all UK Insurance Brokers and it is a huge achievement that a Northern Ireland charity received the most votes to win this brand new minibus.
“CIP Insurance is very proud of its partnership with Cancer Fund for Children and would like to thank all our colleagues and friends in the Insurance industry who gave their vote to this very worthwhile local children’s charity.”
Residential group support is just one of many services that Cancer Fund for Children delivers to ensure families don’t have to face cancer alone. The charity’s team of Specialists also work in the community, hospital ward and the home providing practical, emotional and financial support as well as free therapeutic short breaks.
To find out more about Cancer Fund for Children’s services or how you can get involved visit:
www.cancerfundforchildren.com
or call 028 9080 5599.
Background to the Cancer Fund For Children
* Cancer Fund for Children is the leading local cancer charity that provides practical, financial and therapeutic support to children, teenagers and young adults living with cancer, and their families. The charity works with over 350 families and 800 young people at any one time.
* Every week in Northern Ireland, three children, teenagers or young adults, aged between 0-24 years old, are diagnosed with cancer.
* The charity understands the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have on the whole family and that beyond the essential clinical care there is a family life that needs to be rebuilt at home and in the community.
* The charity’s team of experienced Specialists help families cope with the impact cancer has on their lives, and supports them through life during and after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement.
* Cancer Fund for Children’s Specialists deliver a range of support at home, in the community and the hospital setting including:
* One-to-One Support providing children and young people with the opportunity to express their feelings, thoughts and fears openly in a safe environment
* Group Support: bringing young people with cancer together to share experiences, gain strength from each other and benefit from peer support
* Sibling Support: helping siblings who are feeling worried, lonely and vulnerable as they watch a brother or sister fight cancer
* Young Shoulders Programme: supporting children/young people whose parent has cancer, and who often become a carer themselves
* Bereavement Support: Specialists provide one-to-one and group support to parents who have lost a child to cancer
* Financial Support: the charity provides four non-means tested grants to ease the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis
* Therapeutic Short Breaks: providing families with time to rest and recuperate away from the demands of hospital & treatment regimes and to be together during a traumatic and challenging time
Daisy Lodge – Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break facility
* Daisy Lodge, is a 16,000 sq. ft. purpose built therapeutic and wellbeing centre at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, Co. Down, dedicated to families nursing a child with cancer
* The £3m centre which is the first of its kind in the UK & Europe, welcomed its first families in spring 2014 and was officially opened by Rory McIlroy on October 7, 2014.
* It can provide therapeutic short breaks for up to 500 families per year from NI and the ROI
* Daisy Lodge features six-double family suites, four therapy suites, a range of age appropriate play centres, two lounge areas, a restaurant, ‘home’ cinema and safe outdoor play areas
* At Daisy Lodge families have precious time to:
* Be together as a family during a traumatic and challenging time
* Benefit from therapeutic and holistic support provided by Cancer Fund for Children’s team of Specialists
* Share experiences and gain support from other families in a similar situation
* Create special memories together
