Northern Ireland edition

SupporterReview

How you helped children and young people with cancer over the last year

www.clicsargent.org.uk

A BIG thank youfor all your support

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Saying thank youWhen Vikki’s friend David died of a brain tumour in October 2013, she organised various fundraising events with Derrycherra United FC, County Fermanagh in memory of the 19-year-old.

Vikki’s Mr and Mrs game show, sports auction, and sponsored leg wax raised over £8,000 for our Northern Ireland Home from Home Appeal. Thank you Vikki!

Filling the air wavesFor three days in April 2014, radio stations in Northern Ireland promoted our work with children and young people who have cancer. As part of their Cash for Kids fundraising appeal, the Bauer Media Group raised £108,000 for CLIC Sargent.

The money will help fund our new Northern Ireland Home from Home for young people and their families. Thank you to everyone who listened and donated!

Run for HomeOn 5 May Belfast was turned a sea of pink as almost 3,000 runners took to the streets to Run for Home in the Deep RiverRock Belfast City

Marathon.

By taking part in the run, relay, 8-mile walk and fun run our incredible supporters have raised over £120,000 to date. Thank you to everyone who took part, we look forward to seeing you at the Belfast Half Marathon on 14 September.

Thanks to our wonderful supporters, this year we’ve provided vital support to over 200 children and young people with cancer, and their families, in Northern Ireland. Here’s a snapshot of your incredible fundraising.

Hello and welcome to your Supporter ReviewYou’ve helped us provide emotional, practical, financial and clinical support to more than 6,600 children and young people with cancer, and their families, in the UK this year.

Thanks to you, we’ve also increased our income from £22.26 million last year to £25.49 million in 2013/14 – a 14% increase – which is fantastic.

This year, we opened a brand new Home from Home in Belfast and awarded 5,047 grants, totalling just over £1 million. Our social workers also made 2,483 visits to meet children and young people with cancer and their families in the community.

But currently we can only give two out of three children and young people with cancer, and their families, the support they need. We want to be there for all young cancer patients when they need us most. We have big plans to make that happen, including recruiting new young people’s community workers and young people’s social workers, across the UK next year.

Thanks once again for all you have done for CLIC Sargent. We hope that you’ll help us to continue to grow so that we can move closer to our goal of supporting every child and young person with cancer who needs us.

Lorraine Clifton Chief Executive

Leaving a gift in your Will to CLIC Sargent is an amazing way of supporting children and young people with cancer in the future. For further information call 0845 125 2625, email legacies@clicsargent.org.uk or visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/giftsinwills

Daphne Pullen Chair of Trustees

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Could you be a

Chief Bucketeer?Clair’s collections for CLIC Sargent are a hard act to follow – but you could do it!

As one of our Chief Bucketeers in 2013, Clair organised two Big Bucket Collections for CLIC Sargent at Morrisons Tewkesbury and Tesco Cheltenham, raising over £1,140 for our work supporting children and young people with cancer.

In May 2010, Clair’s two-year-old daughter Bethany was diagnosed with leukaemia and our CLIC Sargent Nurse and Social Worker supported her family.

“I don’t know what we’d have done without CLIC Sargent’s help and support,” says Clair. “It’s fantastic to be able to give something back.”

Clair is just one of our amazing Big Bucketeers, and this year’s Big Bucket Collection is taking place in September, as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. You can help families like Clair’s by becoming a Chief Bucketeer at a Big Bucket Collection venue near you. We need volunteers to hold collections at supermarkets, shopping centres and other venues across the UK to raise £150,000 for young cancer patients and their families.

Volunteering involves collecting for a few hours, a day, or more, whilst having fun with your friends, family or colleagues. We will match you to a venue near you and give you all the fundraising support and materials you need.

If you would like to hold your own collection in September, or at any time of the year, please call us on 0845 121 2495 or email bigbucketcollection@clicsargent.org.uk

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When Northern Ireland-based Danielle, 17, received treatment for her low grade brain tumour in Bristol, she and her family stayed at our Home from Home, CLIC House.

Danielle had two years of treatment for a brain tumour with no real sign of improvement. Then, in February 2013, she received a new diagnosis.

“It was just a huge relief to hear from the doctor: ‘We know what the problem is and how to treat it’,” says Danielle.

Danielle needed a biopsy and six weeks of radiotherapy in Bristol. To help with travel costs from County Antrim, Danielle’s CLIC Sargent Social Worker, Simon, organised a CLIC Sargent grant. “The money was one less thing for my parents to worry about,” says Danielle.

Danielle and her mum Amanda stayed in our Bristol Home from Home, CLIC House, while she had her radiotherapy. And at Christmas, Danielle’s dad Brian and 15-year-old sister Rebecca stayed for two weeks. “My diagnosis has had a big impact on the whole family, so, being able to spend Christmas together meant a lot,” says Danielle.

Now, Danielle writes a blog about her cancer journey. “I hope I can help other teenagers,” she says.

“Being able to spend Christmas together at CLIC House meant a lot.” Danielle, 17, who was diagnosed with a low grade brain tumour

We couldn’t offer free accommodation to families affected by cancer without your support. Thank you.

Danielle’s story

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When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, it can be a devastating experience for the whole family.

Treatment is often gruelling, can start immediately and is often given a long way from home. There can be an overwhelming amount to deal with, from the emotional strain of coping with uncertainty to practical concerns such as arranging time off work. The financial impact can be significant too, with extra costs such as travel and accommodation for hospital appointments.

Family life can be disrupted for months – and in many cases, years.

We know that every child or young person with cancer is different. Families are different. Each cancer journey is different. We know this because we listen. And we ask the right questions to ensure we can provide the right support.

“To be told that your three-year-old child has cancer is a massive shock. It’s like being hit by a bus. We were a really normal, happy, busy family and it all just turned into chaos.” Sara, whose son Quinn was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was three

How we help

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Thanks to you, we support thousands of children and young people with cancer, and their families. We provide:

c Emotional support to help the whole family cope with a cancer diagnosis and its impact on everyday life

c Information on childhood cancer and its impact on all aspects of life

c Financial support including grants to help families and young people deal with the financial impact of cancer

c Free accommodation at our nine Homes from Home close to specialist hospitals so families can stay near their child during treatment

c Free holidays and specialist short breaks away from the everyday challenges of childhood cancer

c Support to keep up with education, including delivering treatments in schools

c Clinical care from our nurses to maximise the amount of time children can safely spend at or closer to home, and deliver as many treatments in the community as possible

c Support from our play specialists who help children cope with treatment through play and activities.

We also campaign and influence others to raise awareness of the needs of children and young people with cancer and to improve the support they and their families receive.

We wouldn’t be able to offer this support without you. Thank you for your help.

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Thanks to you, we’ve had another fantastic year. And with your support, we can continue to increase our income and grow our services so that we can meet our ambition of supporting every child or young person with cancer.

How yousupported us

in

This year, our total income was

That’s an amazing 14% increase on last year!

£25.49m

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How we supported children, young people and their families in 2013/2014

27%

14%

22%

37%

14% Supporting access to education, training and employment

27% Maximising time spent safely at home during treatment

You helped us raise £7.7 million through local fundraising and taking part in events like our runs and challenges

Our corporate partnerships raised £4.7 million

£4.1 million of our income came from donations from trusts and foundations, special events and large gifts from individuals

Our investments and other income raised £0.07 million

£3.56 million came from individuals giving regular or cash donations

We received £2.56 million from people who left us a gift in their Will

If you bought a product in our shops, through mail order or online, you helped us raise £2.8 million

22% Supporting emotional wellbeing and resilience

37% Reducing the practical and financial impact of cancer treatment

£7.7m

£2.56m

£2.8m

£4.1m

£4.7m

£3.56m

£0.07m

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We awarded

5,047 grants, totalling just over £1 million. More than half (55%) were given to parents of 0 to 15-year-olds, and 45% to 16 to 24-year-olds

More than

1,270 families stayed in one of our nine Homes from Home so they could be close to their child during treatment

Our keyachievements

in

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Our welfare support helped young people and families secure around

£955,000 in benefits, 92% more than last year

Over 1,660 families and young people benefited from our welfare advice. This year, enquiries increased by 113% and included those about benefits and employment issues

Our social workers made

2,483 visits to meet children and young people with cancer and their families in the community, including 1,421 home visits

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In December 2013, we opened Paul’s House in Belfast, our first Home from Home in Northern Ireland

We used our research on how cancer impacts children and young people’s education to influence the Children and Families Act 2014. As a result, from March 2014 schools in England have a legal requirement to meet the needs of children with health conditions such as cancer.Our findings were also presented to the Governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

More regular givers More and more of you are making monthly donations to CLIC Sargent by direct debit, standing order, Payroll Giving and text message. This now amounts to an incredible £3 million a year. Thank you so much!

Remembering us in your Will We are hugely grateful to those who have told us you have pledged to leave us a gift in your Will. Thanks too if you have requested information about how to make a gift in your Will as a way to support children and young people with cancer in the future.

Text SantaWe received £850,000 for our work with children and young people through ITV’s annual Christmas fundraiser Text Santa.

Thank you to everyone who gave so generously. The money will make a huge difference to children and young people with cancer throughout the UK.

helped usHow you

last year

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J D WetherspoonThis year was a record-breaking one for our 12-year partnership with pub chain J D Wetherspoon, who raised £1 million in six months.

The annual KICK for CLIC Sargent staff football tournament raised nearly half a million, and a darts tournament increased the amount it raised by half, to £50,000. We’re on track to raise £10 million together by next year. Amazing!

World Record Skydive attemptAround 700 intrepid CLIC Sargent supporters and skydivers attempted to set a new world record for the most tandem skydives within 24 hours in September 2013.

Thanks to everyone who took to the skies for CLIC Sargent – you raised £300,000 for our work.

Wig WednesdayIn May 2013 we held our first Wig Wednesday, with thousands of supporters across the UK getting their wigs on for the day. Your wig-tastic fun raised over £125,000!

Our second Wig Wednesday, in May 2014, was even bigger and better and looks set to raise more than £220,000. Save the date and watch this space for more about Wig Wednesday 2015, on 20 May.

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Increasing support for young cancer patients Not enough 16 to 24-year-olds with cancer get the support they need – but you’re helping us change that.

Our specialist social workers and community workers understand the profound impact that cancer can have on young people’s education, employment, confidence, self-esteem and body image.

This year, thanks to your support, our young people’s community workers made 985 visits to meet 16 to 24-year-olds in their community. As they take place outside hospitals, these visits help young people to feel comfortable talking and regain a sense of purpose at a time when they may feel anxious and vulnerable.

We piloted the young people’s community worker role for two years and in 2013/2014, made five posts permanent. In March 2014, the pilot was ‘highly commended’ at the first NHS England Excellence in Participation Awards.

With your support, we plan to employ seven new young people’s community workers and young people’s social workers next year, bringing the total across the UK to 42. This will help us reach and support more young people with cancer, and their families, who need us.

Find out how you can support children and young people with cancer in 2014/2015 on page 22.

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Haroon, 25, from Glasgow was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 23, during his last year at Glasgow Caledonian University. When his treatment was over, CLIC Sargent Young People’s Community Worker, Tracy, helped him to rebuild his life.

“I felt fragile when I left hospital after my treatment. Months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant had taken its toll.

Tracy filled that gap between leaving hospital and getting back to normal.

She found me an exercise class for cancer patients as the steroids I’d taken during my treatment meant I’d put on a lot of weight. Once I was feeling stronger physically, she helped me focus on getting back to work. I’d been planning to train to be an accountant, but I was no longer sure that was something I wanted to do.

We revamped my CV, practised interview skills and talked through feedback I received. I’d missed out on work placements, so Tracy encouraged me to volunteer for charities, like CLIC Sargent, to gain new skills.

I’ve been in remission 18 months now, and have a job as a business advisor. Tracy’s support was key – it helped me to stay motivated whenever I was feeling low.”

Haroon’s story

“Tracy filled that gap between leaving hospital and getting back to normal.” Haroon, 25, who had Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Thanks to you, our care professionals can give young people vital support when their lives have been turned upside down by cancer.

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New Home from Home for Belfast Northern Ireland-based families are now able to stay close to their child during cancer treatment thanks to your support.

Your fundraising and donations meant we were able to open Paul’s House, our first Home from Home in Northern Ireland, in December 2013. It provides families dealing with cancer with free and homely accommodation while their child is in hospital.

Our patron and former boxer Barry McGuigan, with his wife Sandra, and the Northern Ireland Health Minister, Edwin Poots, attended the opening ceremony of Belfast’s Paul’s House.

“Work carried out by voluntary organisations such as CLIC Sargent complements the work of the health service, and the care and support they provide are greatly appreciated by all those who use them across Northern Ireland,” said Poots.

We urgently need to raise remaining funds of less than £1 million to build a second Home from Home in Northern Ireland close to Belfast City Hospital. The second Home from Home will provide free accommodation for young people with cancer and their families.

Find out more about how you can support our Northern Ireland Appeal at www.clicsargent.org.uk/NIappeal

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When 10-year-old Jordan, from North Wales, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour, CLIC Sargent Nurse Rhian supported him, his parents and brother and sister. Jordan’s mum Toni shares their story.

“The children call her ‘Aunty Rhian’. She came into our lives a few days after Jordan was diagnosed with a brain tumour and has been an incredible support to the whole family.

The first time Rhian visited us at home, she stayed for hours, going through everything that would happen with Jordan’s treatment. She brought a book along to help explain things to Jordan and he clicked with her straight away. She is wonderful with all my children, explaining what’s happening in a way that doesn’t scare them.

Rhian has trained me to give Jordan his medication and his teachers know that if they have any worries they can phone her.

The impact of cancer on a family is huge. It’s difficult for Jordan’s siblings as they don’t get to go out very often but Rhian has got us tickets for a pantomime and the zoo so they have some treats.

Jordan’s story

“I can’t imagine any family going through what we have without someone like Rhian to support them.” Toni, mum to Jordan, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour

Your support means our CLIC Sargent Nurses help families like Jordan’s cope with cancer. Thank you.

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Inspired by Ben After completing five half marathons, the Virgin London Marathon, a Mount Kilimanjaro trek, a London to Paris bike ride and a skydive, Nigel remains determined – along with his wife Su and son Luke.

“Our goal is to raise £1 million in memory of our son Ben,” says Nigel. “So far, we’ve raised nearly £200,000 so other families can receive the kind of support we had from the amazing people at CLIC Sargent.”

In 2011, a month after his ninth birthday, Ben was diagnosed with a brain tumour. CLIC Sargent Nurses Sally and Ally visited the family’s home, providing practical and emotional support while Ben had eight months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

“It was thanks to Sally and Ally that Ben was able to have much of his treatment at home and that he wasn’t scared,” says Nigel.

Sadly, Ben died in his parents’ arms in February 2012. Since then, the family have become dedicated fundraisers for CLIC Sargent, with Nigel taking on challenge after challenge, including organising his own 10km walk, cycle or run through Somerset’s Mells Park Estate this October.

“I am committed to raising money for CLIC Sargent,” says Nigel. “Lots of children do recover from cancer but some, like Ben, don’t.”

Why not take part in your own run or challenge? Visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/events to find out how.

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A specialist break at Malcolm Sargent House allowed seven-year-old Jasmine and her family to spend time together during a crucial stage of her treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Mum Sue shares their story.

“Our CLIC Sargent Social Worker Anne suggested we visit Malcolm Sargent House. I think she recognised it was the perfect time for us to go away, before we moved onto the next stage of Jasmine’s cancer treatment.

Our stay was part of a specialist week for under-fives and their families. There were lots of events such as picnics and trips, storytellers, and relaxation treatments for the adults.

My son George celebrated his second birthday on the break, which was wonderful. And when Jasmine was sick in the night, the staff made sure we had access to medical support from the consultant oncologist at the local hospital. It’s their support and kindness that gives Malcolm Sargent House its uniqueness.

Our time away was total escapism and gave us the strength we needed.

Now, after two years and four months of treatment, Jasmine is having bi-monthly check-ups. She’s reaching 100% monthly attendance in school for the first time, which she’s thrilled about.”

Jasmine’s story

“It’s the staff’s support and kindness that gives Malcolm Sargent House its uniqueness.” Sue, mum to Jasmine, seven, who was diagnosed with leukaemia

Thank you for helping us to provide families like Jasmine’s with a break from cancer.

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With your continued support, we want to introduce young people’s community workers across the country. See page 14 for more information.

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Anita, a Cambridgeshire-based CLIC Sargent Young People’s Community Worker, explains how she supports young people with cancer within their own communities.

“I go to a young person’s home, to a café or to meet them wherever they feel most comfortable, so I don’t have a nine-to-five routine.

I can see up to 15 people a day. On the wards, I check how my inpatients are doing and finish my day doing community visits. I might help one person understand what financial benefits they’re entitled to, and another come to terms with a change in their diagnosis. Often young people are just about to leave home or go to university and, when they’re diagnosed with cancer, all of a sudden, they’re pushed back.

It’s a real privilege to meet and work with young people on a daily basis and to know I have made a difference to their life is a truly special feeling.

Young people’s community workers see a young person with cancer through their cancer treatment, including those whose journey is coming to an end. I think this level of support should be available everywhere.”

Anita’s story

With your continued support, we want to introduce young people’s community workers across the UK.

“Young people’s community workers provide a level of support that should be available everywhere.” Anita, CLIC Sargent Young People’s Community Worker

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Please continue your support for CLIC SargentMake a donationEvery donation you make to CLIC Sargent helps us continue our work supporting children and young people with cancer, and their families. From one-off gifts and monthly donations by direct debit, to Payroll Giving and gifts in your Will, your generosity changes lives.

Sign up for a challenge of a lifetimeTake on an inspiring cycle, trek or adventure race, run a 10K or marathon, jump from a plane or abseil from amazing heights. Sign up now and we’ll support your fundraising every step of the way.

VolunteerOffer your time and skills, and learn something new by volunteering for us. We have a wide range of opportunities, including helping to staff our shops, promoting our work, helping our office teams, and organising and assisting with a wide range of events.

Shop with usVisit the CLIC Sargent online shop or our eBay Shop and you’ll help support young cancer patients and their families with every purchase.

To find out more about how you can get involved with any of these, please visit our website www.clicsargent.org.uk

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We appreciate everything you do for CLIC Sargent. Thank you for your support.

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“All of the staff at Matalan stores in Northern Ireland really enjoyed taking part in Wig Wednesday. We had such great fun choosing our wigs and coming up with fun ways to raise money in store. Wig Wednesday is a fantastic idea because it is so easy for everyone to get involved and every pound raised will help ease the financial and emotional burden families in Northern Ireland face at an already very difficult time.” Lauren Fox, Matalan Charity Champion

“My daughter Katie had leukaemia when she was 16. The CLIC Sargent Nurses were fantastic and we also stayed in a Home from Home in Bristol. I am not sure how we would have managed without CLIC Sargent...We have supported the charity financially ever since and I have remembered them in my Will.” Michael Sutherland, CLIC Sargent supporter

T ank youOur work is simply not possible without you.

Thank you for all that you have done for CLIC Sargent this year. Whether you’ve donated, taken part in an event, volunteered or decided to include a gift to us in your Will, you have made a massive difference to the lives of children and young people like Haroon, Danielle, Jordan and Jasmine.

With your continued support, we will move closer to our goal of supporting every child and young person with cancer who needs us. Thank you.

www.clicsargent.org.uk Registered charity in England & Wales (1107328) and Scotland (SC039857). 14RP140/C