Around seven young people aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK.
On 23 March children from the TMYG (Tommy More Youth Group) in Sheldon, Birmingham were asked to help fundraise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the charity was chosen by the children themselves when the youth group launched in September 2012, after a visit from a representative from Teenage Cancer Trust, explained that the charity was set up to improve the experience of teenagers at this very difficult time. Children’s hospital wards were not very teenage friendly, often teenagers were in wards with very young children and babies, this was found to be detrimental to the teenagers.
‘Too often wards have negative energy because of the pain and worry people suffer on them but you don’t get that on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit. Sure, there is pain and worry and everything else but the optimism and laughter changes that.’ (Heather, 17, bone cancer).
The first Teenage Cancer Unit opened in Birmingham Children’s Hospital in February 2010.
TMYG hosted a Talent show in March 2013, took part in a Bag Pack at Melbicks Garden Centre in March 2014, the children worked really hard for nearly 6 hours, handling live insects and without complaining of tired feet, they didn’t want to leave even when their parents came to collect them.
Together with money from selling badges and wrist bands the youth group have raised a total of £340.
We are very proud of our youth group members who are pupils from St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School in Solihull, St Pauls Catholic Girls School in Birmingham, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for girls, for giving up their free time to help other young people and enjoy themselves along the way.
They were joined by junior leaders from St Peters Catholic School Solihull, senior leaders and former pupils of Stuart Bathurst, and Archbishop Ilsley.