www.clicsargent.org.uk

Scotland Spring 2016

YOURCLIC Sargent

Your support for CLIC Sargent helped us reach around 6,800 children and young people with cancer in 2014/15. We really can’t thank you enough, and we hope you’ll enjoy reading about the amazing difference you make in this issue of Your CLIC Sargent.

Your fantastic fundraising

Rainbow runners One participant summed up our recent Rainbow Assault events by saying: “My ribs are still sore from laughing so much!” The events, in Dundee and Ayrshire, involved a 5km obstacle course – with added paint bombs thrown in (literally). Thanks to the 300 runners who raised an incredible £45,710!

Home from Home heroesGuests at last year’s White Feather Charitable Aid ball raised £15,000 – helping to fund and furnish a lounge for young people at CLIC Sargent’s Home from Home in Glasgow. Thanks to everyone involved for giving young cancer patients a place to unwind.

Thank you!You’re a life-changer.

A huge thank you to everyone who has raised money to support our work this year! 2

School pack awardWe were delighted to win a BMA Patient Information Award for our Cancer and School Life pack, which helps teachers to explain what’s happening after a pupil is diagnosed with cancer.

Partnerships with powerOur corporate partners continue to inspire us with their phenomenal fundraising, which recently included:

• Network Rail raising £1.8m to support our work

• JD Wetherspoon raising a further £2m through its pubs.

Manchester Airports Group also launched a new partnership with

CLIC Sargent, aiming to raise £1m for young cancer patients. We’d like to thank all of our corporate partners for their amazing support.

Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthThank you to everyone who supported Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. UK landmarks were lit up in gold, 115 elected politicians wore gold ribbons and our supporters arranged fundraising events from cake sales to work pyjama days.

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What we’ve been up to

In 2014/15, you helped us reach more young cancer patients than ever before.

We’re so pleased that Niamh is now doing well – and we hope her story shows the

enormous impact that your support can have.

In 2014/15, 1,389 people stayed in our Homes from Home.

Niamh decorating our new Home from Home, Cruachan House4

The power of your support

Help at every stepEight-year-old Niamh needed more than two years of treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Thanks to you, CLIC Sargent was there from the very start. “Throughout treatment all I did was look after Niamh, work, sleep and occasionally eat,” says John, describing an experience that many parents of children with cancer will recognise. “Nothing else was a priority.”

His daughter’s treatment included two rounds of chemotherapy and 24 lumbar punctures, and John talks proudly of Niamh’s “incredible bravery and strength”.

“The one time we thought Niamh was upset was when they were trying to insert a cannula,” he says. “She was obviously in pain but was actually shouting that she was OK to try and console us. That experience will never leave me.”

A range of helpJulia, a CLIC Sargent Social Worker, met with John and his family within days of Niamh’s diagnosis, offering ongoing support, advice and a friendly ear. “She became our go-to person,” John says, “someone we trusted and who was very comforting.”

John also stayed at Cruachan House, CLIC Sargent’s Home from Home near Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital. “The peace of mind of being just around the corner: it’s hard to put a value on that,” he says.

And the family spent time at Malcolm Sargent House, CLIC Sargent’s holiday home in Ayrshire. “It may only be a small holiday break,” John says, “but it was a huge value in contributing to Niamh overcoming leukaemia.”

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Our work with young people

Talking relationships and sexAfter a CLIC Sargent survey found that 16-24-year-olds with cancer wanted more information on relationships and sex, we set to work to fill the gap. Teaming up with young people, cancer experts and agony uncle Matt Whyman, we’ve produced a range of online videos and written content that health professionals can use to help young people answer questions it can be difficult to ask.

As Matt explains:“Young people with cancer deserve information and advice about all aspects of relationships, so they can deal with strong feelings or difficult situations, and make informed decisions.”

Our new advice covers…• Telling a partner

about cancer• Dealing with

relationship problems• Meeting new people • Cancer and sex• Talking about

relationships and sex• Finding more support

To take a look at our new materials, head to www.clicsargent.org.uk/relationships

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Counter culture

The latest from our shops

25 life-changing yearsOur shops in Clevedon, Keynsham, Saltash, Staple Hill, Tiverton and Truro all celebrated their 25th birthdays last year. Between them, they’ve raised a staggering £7 million in that time.

We’d like to say an enormous thank you to all of the volunteers, customers and stock donors who have made this possible – and especially to the 90 brilliant volunteers who help in these shops today.

‘Get in Character’ successAuthors including Jane Fallon, Paula Hawkins and Chris Brookmyre helped to raise £6,354 for CLIC Sargent in March, by taking part in our ‘Get in Character’ eBay auction and offering fans the chance to feature in their forthcoming novels. Thanks to everyone who placed a bid – we’re looking forward to seeing the winners’ names in print!

CLIC Sargent shops raised an amazing £2.7 million in 2014/15.

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One in eight of the children and young people we support are helped thanks to gifts in Wills.

One day, a gift in your Will could change livesBy leaving a gift in your Will to CLIC Sargent, you’ll continue to provide much needed support to children, young people and their families – long into the future. We believe every child and young person who needs our support should have that support - now and in the future. Gifts in Wills play a crucial role in helping us plan for that future.

One day, a gift in your Will to CLIC Sargent could make the difference of a lifetime. To find out more, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/oneday, call 0845 125 2625 or email oneday@clicsargent.org.uk

Why I chose to give“When our grandson was diagnosed with cancer in both eyes at eight months old, the help we received from CLIC Sargent was a lifeline. He is now 18 and training to become a sports teacher. We are very proud of him and our family will always be grateful for the support we received.”Barbara

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Together for Aston-Memphis By setting up a named Support Me fund for her son Aston-Memphis, Kayleigh has inspired the people close to her to fundraise for CLIC Sargent. Kayleigh set up a Support Me fund for her son Aston-Memphis after he was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2015 – and her family and friends, along with Aston-Memphis’ school, have already raised an incredible £3,500 through the fund.

“CLIC Sargent have helped us so, so much,” says Kayleigh. “We would like to raise as much money as we can to help an AMAZING charity continue to do amazing work.”

Setting up a fundIf you know someone who is receiving support from CLIC Sargent or has completed treatment, you can set up a Support Me fund in their name. Find out more at www.clicsargent.org.uk/supportme

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Wiggy wonders After Jamie was diagnosed with leukaemia, pupils, staff and parents at Cliff Lane Primary School showed their support by going wild with wigs – raising a spectacul-hair £2,500!

It was windy. It was raining. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of anyone at Cliff Lane Primary School as they took part in our Wig Wednesday event last May.

Looking fabulous in hairpieces of every size, shape and colour, everyone enjoyed a range of special activities including a mini-marathon – all in support of fellow pupil

Jamie, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2013.

Jamie’s mum Michelle said: “The teachers at the school have shown such compassion and have helped make this difficult time bearable.”

Wig Wednesday 2016 is happening on 25 May. To get involved in the life-changing fun, head to www.clicsargent.org.uk/wigwednesday

More than 70,000 people took part in Wig Wednesday in 2015, raising a fantastic £186,000!

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Thank you from Stephen!Your incredible support for our Christmas appeal will help more families enjoy the moments that really matter. You might have seen our Christmas appeal featuring Stephen, who spent his first birthday and first Christmas in hospital after being diagnosed with neuroblastoma. After the appeal, Stephen’s mum Jo got in touch, wanting to thank everyone who supports CLIC Sargent.

“We had a bit of a scare before Christmas and we were worried that Stephen’s cancer had come back, but thankfully it hadn’t,” Jo said.

“Our CLIC Sargent Social Worker Wayne spotted us at the hospital and came to speak with us straight away. Even after two years since treatment he’s still there for us.

“I just want to say thank you! Thank you from me and Stephen.”

If you supported our Christmas Appeal - thank you so much!

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Pushing for better careWe’re campaigning for changes to the health and care system – because every young cancer patient must have the best chance from the start. We know families often experience delays when they seek help – so we launched a report investigating the problems and exploring how support for GPs could improve.

Ministers and health leaders have since acknowledged that better cancer support for young people should be a high priority for the government and the NHS. In the coming years, we’ll keep pushing for lasting change.

To find out more, head to www.clicsargent.org.uk/bestchance

What GPs say…• Almost half said insufficient

training on cancer symptoms in under-25s was a major barrier to faster diagnosis

• Almost three in five said discussions with child health experts about specific cases could help them diagnose cancer in children and young people more quickly.

Source: ComRes survey, commissioned by CLIC Sargent in 2015. Data tables are available via the link above.

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High-flying heroesA 19-strong team from the City of London swapped skyscrapers for skydiving in September, each leaping more than 13,000 feet to raise vital funds for our work. The ‘City Flyers’ team brought together staff from across the City, coordinated by Chris Canham and Shela Maine from Lloyds Banking Group.

“We were delighted to raise over £35,000 for CLIC Sargent, a charity that provides essential care and support for children and young people with cancer,” said Shela.

We’d like to thank the whole City Flyers team for their enthusiasm and invaluable support.

Ready for adventure? If you fancy signing up to your own CLIC Sargent skydiving challenge – or to a slightly more down-to-earth run, trek, bike ride or swim – head to www.clicsargent.org.uk/events, call 0845 124 118 or email challenges@clicsargent.org.uk

So far in 2015/16, more than 150 hardy supporters have skydived for CLIC Sargent – raising over £100,000.

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Did we say thank you? If there’s one thing we can’t do too many times, it’s let you know how grateful we are for everything you do.Maybe you’re a cake baker. Or a money giver. Or a marathon runner. Or a shop customer.

However you choose to support CLIC Sargent, you’re a life changer – and we can’t thank you enough for bringing us closer to our ambition of offering support to every child and young person with cancer.

And don’t forget, if you fancy doing something new – from shaving your head to hosting a gold-themed party for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – you’ll find all the information and support you need at www.clicsargent.org.uk

More fantastic fundraisersMidnight magicMore than 100 people took part in our first Scottish Midnight Runway 5km events in Kirkwall and Inverness, raising over £20,000. Organised with Highlands and Islands Airports, the events involve a midnight walk, jog or run along a runway, as well as plenty of music, food and drink. Thanks to everyone who made the events so special.

Golf day surpriseWe weren’t the only ones left smiling after the Renaissance Golf Day in North Berwick. The event raised a fantastic £16,000 for our work, and also saw participant Ailsa Bain drive away with a new Range Rover, courtesy of sponsors Pentland Land Rover, after landing a hole-in-one!

THANK YOU!

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RUNCOLOURFUL! It’s time to paint the town red. And yellow. And pink. And blue. So grab your friends, sign up to be part of Team CLIC Sargent at a ColorVibe 5km run and get ready for the brightest and best run of your life!

2016 eventsEdinburgh 17 July

To book your place today, head to www.clicsargent.org.uk/colorvibe

Registered charity number 1107328 and registered in Scotland (SC039857). 16KF000\A