Children’s Cancer North is dedicated to making life better for children with cancer across the North East and Cumbria. Each year, around 100 children from the region are newly diagnosed and receive treatment at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.

This charity has been a huge support to one of my closest friends over the past year. In May 2024, while on a family holiday in Greece, their world was turned upside down when their 3-year-old son, Oscar, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Since that day, it’s been a long and frightening journey for their family. Through it all, Oscar has shown incredible bravery and has remained his happy, cheeky self. He’s spent more time in hospital than any child ever should. But thanks to the support of Children’s Cancer North, that time has been made just a little more bearable.

Children’s Cancer North funds a wide range of play specialists at the hospital, from full-time nursery nurses to a digital animation specialist who regularly visits the wards. Oscar’s time on Ward 4 was made so much more enjoyable thanks to these activities, as anyone who saw the 2024 Christmas video from the ward will know.

But the charity’s impact goes far beyond the hospital. They also support families outside of clinical care. During Oscar’s treatment, the family had to relocate to Manchester for six weeks at very short notice. Children’s Cancer North stepped in to support them financially during that incredibly stressful time, and this help was deeply appreciated. This year, they’re running a family holiday scheme, sending over 50 families affected by childhood cancer to Centre Parcs, including Oscar and his family, who will get to enjoy a well-deserved break this summer.

I’ve seen firsthand just how much Children’s Cancer North has done for Oscar and his family. I couldn’t think of a better cause to support.