SWASFT raise over £20,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer

The staff from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has been supporting CLIC Sargent since 2008 raising £23,927.52 for young lives vs cancer through the Pennies from Heaven Scheme.

Over 4000 members of staff from the trust took part in the Pennies from Heaven Scheme, which meant that their wages were rounded down to the nearest pound with the pennies being donated to CLIC Sargent. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading provider of support for young cancer patients under the age of 25, and their families.

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust staff are delighted that they have raised almost £24,000 for CLIC Sargent from their Pennies from Heaven scheme, to help and support children with cancer and their families.”

When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. Cancer affects every part of life, for the young person and their families – relationships, confidence, money, school, and work. CLIC Sargent care teams will fight tirelessly to minimize the damage it causes.

Every day, 11 children and young people in the UK hear the shocking news they have cancer. Treatment that normally starts immediately is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years.

CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager for Cornwall and Devon, Jordan Anderton said: “CLIC Sargent is extremely grateful for the generosity and support we have received from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

The pennies they have collectively donated over the years will make a huge difference to the families we support.”

The money that South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has raised could fund a room in one of CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home for two years.

CLIC Sargent Homes from Homes provide free self-catering accommodation near to specialist children’s cancer treatment centres, which are often many miles from a family’s own home.

Staying in a Home from Home ensures a family can not only be close to their child during treatment, but also elevates any financial concerns on where to stay. If they are well enough, the child or young person can stay there too. In the South West CLIC Sargent have two Homes from Homes, Sam’s House and CLIC House, with a total of 31 rooms and last year these Homes from Homes supported 257 families.

Jordan Anderton continued saying: “The average stay in CLIC House is 25 days and for Sam’s House it is 39 days, saving each family on average around £2,500. All the staff from the trust have done is donated a maximum of 99p per month from their monthly wage and collectively, as you can see, have made a huge difference to the families we support in the South West.”

To find out more about how you or your company can help CLIC Sargent please contact CLIC Sargent Fundraising Manager Jordan Anderton on 07876 653829 or email: jordan.anderton@clicsargent.org.uk