A problem affecting families all around the UK

Every two hours in the UK, a child or young person is told that they have cancer. Research shows that there are three big challenges facing families needing to take their children with cancer to hospital appointments.

Long distances - only 19 hospitals in the UK are best equipped to diagnose and treat young people with cancer. So they often travel twice as far as adults with the same illness, which costs a lot of money and time. In the East of England, the average is 90 miles and almost 130 in Cornwall. If children need even more specialised treatment, like proton beam therapy, only two hospitals can treat them, not to mention all those who have to travel abroad.

Travel costs - It costs many families an average of £200 a month just to get their children to and from their hospital appointments. Costs include fuel, car parking, car maintenance, train and bus tickets and taxi fares. Nearly 70% of parents rely on loved ones for financial and practical assistance with travel. Only 6% of families are entitled to assistance from the NHS.

Access to a vehicle - families with no access to a car have to rely on the kindness of a friend or relative. Others have no choice but to take public transport, which can be life-threatening for vulnerable children with compromised immune systems.

Every great movement begins with a big dream and you.

Together, we can ask our government to cover the costs of travelling for treatment - well do that with a petition.

But a travel fund alone isnt enough to help families who need to travel across the country or abroad for cancer treatment this is why we need to create a specialist transport service.

Air transport service for those patients who have to travel hundreds of miles for specialist treatments, like proton beam therapy, well provide an air transport service to get them there quickly and safely. This means they will spend less time away from their homes, shcools, families and friends.

Overland transport service starting in the East of England, well provide every young person and child with cancer free, net-zero, non-emergency transport to and from their hospital appointments.

Donate and make it happen

If you want to help fund a much-needed transport service for children with cancer in the UK, please donate what you can if we all chip in, we can make it happen.

This service can be your legacy your gift to every parent who hears the news we wish they never had to hear.