Children’s Cancer Unit Charity Receives Cash for Kids Grant
14 Oct 2016
We are delighted to have recently benefitted from a significant fundraising boost in the form of a grant from Northern Ireland charity Cash for Kids. The contribution of over £38k will enable us to continue our great work at the children’s cancer and haematology unit in the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Jennifer Higgins, Cash for Kids; Ward Sister Bernie McShane; Sean Murphy, Ulster Bank; Jacqueline Wilkinson, Children’s Cancer Unit Charity; Gary Myles, Cool FM; Jean Calderwood, Ulster Bank & Drew Wilkinson, Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.
Speaking on behalf of the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity Jacqueline Wilkinson said, “We are overwhelmed by the support of Cash for Kids. Our mission is to support the existing unit and staff at the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in providing care for children with cancer and blood disorders, and this increase in funds will help us to continue to support the high level of care and treatment patients receive there.
“Contributions generated by the Children’s Chancer Unit Charity partially-fund the running of the cancer and haematology unit, the only place in Northern Ireland where young people can be treated. Because of the Charity’s support of the Unit, the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children has an 8-bedded unit which sees treatment of children at all stages of their diagnoses and treatments from infancy through young adulthood.”
The donation of £38,612.50 was handed over during a cheque presentation ceremony at Ulster Bank headquarters in September. Speaking at the presentation Therese Maguire, Charity Co-ordinator, Cash for Kids, said, “At Cash for Kids we fundraise all year round to support disadvantaged children throughout Northern Ireland, by helping individual families and groups as well as other children’s charities. We were delighted to be able to provide a grant to contribute to the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, using funds raised for Cash for Kids during Ulster Bank’s One Week In June campaign. The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity supports children from across Northern Ireland and their families as they battle cancer diagnoses, and we are proud to have contributed to help them continue their great work.”
The funds received with the Cash for Kids grant will be used to create a more appropriate teenage environment in two of the rooms on the Unit. With patients up to the age of 18 being treated at the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, it is important that they feel comfortable and welcome in age-appropriate rooms to create a home-from-home atmosphere as they undergo their treatment.