10 years ago in 2013 Jim McIlhatton of The Hunting Lodge responded to a fundraising campaign to help raise funds for the first CLIC Sargent (now Young Lives vs Cancer) Home from Home in Northern Ireland, situated a 'slipper walk' away from the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

He has continued fundraising and raising awareness of the charity with the support of the local community ever since. This page has been set-up to show the amazing work everyone has been doing and to create a 'hub' where others can make donations or set-up their own page to link to the 'Friends of Paul's House Team Page' bringing the community even closer.

Jim has been supporting charities in his local community for over 30 years. Vicki Ewart the Fundraising Engagement Manager asked him why he got involved with Young Lives vs Cancer (CLIC Sargent) and he said “My mum used to support me with all my fundraising, after losing her I wanted to do something in her memory, I saw an advert about volunteers were needed for the new Home from Home Paul’s House and knew that I had to help. It is such a great facility and our community really loves supporting them.

Over the past 10 years The Hunting Lodge have put on various events throughout the years to support the home from; walks up Divis mountain, cycling events and this year a 100k walkathon in a week, all hugely successful and usually including entertainment back at The Hunting Lodge. Every Christmas they also host a ‘Special Santa Breakfast’ for the families having treatment.

Please contact Jim McIlhatton if you would like to support the group - 07519 882499

WHAT THEY DO:

Young Lives vs Cancer helps children and young people with cancer, and their families, get the vital support they need to thrive. We're a national charity, but have 2 Home from Homes in Northern Ireland and a Service Team that operate throughout the province.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

Young Lives vs Cancer makes sure each young cancer patients has what they need to get through cancer. It could be a financial grant for a young person who can't afford to get to hospital. Or helping them be close to their family during treatment. That's where Paul's House comes in.

Last year we supported 258 children and young people aged 0-25 and their families (approx 998). The homes are used by the family so that they can stay close by. The average round trip is 90miles+ in NI. In 2021/22* Paul's House hosted 68 families, the longest stay was 231 days, the average stay being 14.7 days. The accommodation costs saved £1,323 based on £90p.n in Belfast, fuel costs would add even more savings.

Take a virtual tour of Paul's House Belfast