LATCH was established forty years ago in 1983 by a group of families and friends who recognised that children diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia and their families not only needed medical support but also practical, emotional and financial support to ease the burden they face. The charity supports hundreds of children, young people and their families across Wales every year who are being treated at the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

We recently heard the story of Lacie and raised a fantastic amount for a young girl who has been battling leukemia, and from this other club members shared similar stories and for them both LATCH has been the integral support through these incredibly tough times.

On the 15th March 2023 a little 4 year old boy called Jesse was also diagnosed with leukaemia and has and continues to battle the disease still. Our fundraiser is specifically for the purchase of a medical adhesive removal spray which makes the process of removing large plasters, which hold in needles for chemotherapy and bloods, easier for the children. This may sound a small issue, but for children dealing with their treatment this will make a huge improvement.

Jesse’s mum wrote:

On the 15th March 2023 our hearts were broken our little 4 year old boy Jesse was diagnosed with leukaemia. While going through this awful journey, we have has to watch Jesse go through very traumatic times one being having to have his portacath (wiggly) accessed for chemotherapy and bloods in order in order to keep the needle secure it requires a big plaster this plaster has to be removed every time wiggly comes out! Jesse and alot of the other children find this very traumatic as do the parents. We looked into a few products and the medical adhesive removal has helped Jesse alot! He now takes the plaster off by himself with the spray that we purchase for him we would love for LATCH to be able to purchase spray for the ward to help the other children with this traumatic task.