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On Sunday the 9th of September, members of staff from the Grand Opera House will cycle from NICFC's respite centre Shimna Valley, in Newcastle county Down, to our theatre on Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

The Grand Opera House are extremely proud of our association with the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC).

Through the efforts of our social committee and staff, we are committed to supporting NICFC as our Official Charity, organising a number of fundraising and other special events throughout the year.

Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children provide practical and emotional support to young people and their families who are living with cancer. Every week, another three children, teenagers or young adults are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland.

In the aftermath of diagnosis, NICFC provide stability and support, helping them to turn a negative into a positive. 'You hit the floor, but NICFC picks you up' explains Maureen from Loughinisland.

Treatment for cancer can be extremely isolating and scary for children and young people. NICFC have a highly skilled team of youth workers who visit the children and young people, either at home or in hospital, to help alleviate their sense of disconnection.

The charity provides a range of programmes to enable young people to be active and challenge themselves and experience life without limits beyond the burden of treatment. Stephen, 14, from Newtownabbey explains,'NICFC is life-changing. Young people living with cancer should have the same opportunities as a regular person and the same amount of fun – NICFC are able to provide that.'

The effects of a diagnosis have far reaching effects within the family unit. As well as working with the young person with cancer, NICFC offers support to parents and siblings.

They have separate Family and Youth Support programmes which include one-to-one sessions, parental support weekends, residentials and constructive age appropriate activities for all the family.

The Young Shoulders programme involves workshops for children and young people whose parent or guardian has cancer. Through their respite facilities at Shimna Valley and Pine and Birch Cottages, NICFC are able to give families the opportunity to take a break and have fun together.

NICFC is always thinking forward from today into the future. As a local charity, they receive less than 1% government funding and would not be able to provide these important services without the generosity and support of the local community and organisations like the Grand Opera House.