This Christmas, give the gift of support to a child who might be spending the holidays without their mum or dad because of cancer or just coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis within their family.

Last year 375 children were referred to our family support service (an increase of 9% on the previous year) equating to 200 families needing our help dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately over the years more and more of these families being referred have an adult that is at 'end of life' stage or receiving palliative care.

For children and young people this can be a distressing, isolating and frightening time. It brings unwanted and dramatic changes to their lives and can affect their experience of school, relationships and ongoing development.

Twins Amy and Liam Murray are asking you to support other children who, like them, had to deal with the news that a loved one had cancer. Here's their story:

Their dad, Liam passed away on New Years Day 2010 when the twins were three years old. He had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour only months earlier when he was just 31.

Bernie Murray (38), said: When we were told the cancer was terminal in September 2009 we were put in touch with Rachel Smith, the family support coordinator at Cancer Focus NI.

Liam had been diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 19 but was able to live a normal life for years. He had his first surgery when he was 24, over the years had two surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. But it was only when he was 31 that the cancer became aggressive, she said.

Even though he was very sick I didn't really think he would die, I thought he would get better, he always had every other time, and it was very difficult for everyone to accept. He got really sick on Christmas Day and went to the hospice a couple of days later where he died.

Bernie remembers that her husband always had a very positive attitude around the children and the couple were very honest with them about what was happening.

Rachel at Cancer Focus NI helped us prepare what we were going to tell the kids. She helped their dad put together messages that they will be able to read when they are older along with mementos for them to keep.

Rachel advised us about what stories we could read to them to help them understand, to prepare them for what was coming.

Afterwards Rachel came to the house and helped Amy and Liam through play, explaining and answering their questions in a way three year olds would understand.

The twins also joined the Cancer Focus NI family support group. They were able to meet other children in the same situation and it helped them realise they were not the only ones going through such a sad time.

They have so much fun at the group and can forget for a while they learn that it is still all right to have fun, Bernie explained.

I was able to talk to other parents who lost a partner and I got bereavement counselling with Cancer Focus NI which really helps too. I wasn't talking to anyone at home so having someone outside the family helped me to open up and express all that emotion. It was so helpful.

I'd encourage everyone to help support this wonderful service and anyone affected by cancer should definitely give Cancer Focus NI a call or look up their website there is so much free support available and the staff are warm and friendly. Its a real lifeline.

Please support our 'Spirit Of Christmas' campaign and help children like Amy & Liam!