Northern Ireland Appeal
The Northern Ireland Homes from Home appeal aims to raise £3.7 million to fund two Homes from Home at locations within walking distance of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and the Belfast City and Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, where young people with cancer are treated.
Every week, two children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland. They will usually travel to Belfast for specialist treatment at either The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children or The Belfast City and Northern Ireland Cancer Centre.
On average a family in Northern Ireland will make a round-trip of 95 miles, up to five times a week so that they can access the cancer treatment their child needs.
This puts a big financial strain on the family with the cost of travel and possibly temporary accommodation while their child is undergoing treatment.
Honour's story
Rachel Johnston and her daughter Honour from Millisle received support from CLIC Sargent when Honour was diagnosed with cancer in 2011.
They believe a Home from Home in Northern Ireland could make a real difference:
“Sitting for hours in a hospital also adds to the anxiety. To go to a Home from Home, and sit in a comfortable and homely environment would have been great for us. It would have eliminated all of the travelling which took its toll on Honour and made her very sick.”
CLIC Sargent’s Northern Ireland Homes from Home Appeal
Good news is on its way for children and young people being treated for cancer in Northern Ireland.
Our Northern Ireland Appeal will result in two new Homes from Home in Belfast, within walking distance of each hospital.
Like our other Homes from Home, the new buildings will include shared kitchens and lounges, playrooms, young person’s rooms, laundry facilities and an outside space. Most of all they will provide a friendly and relaxing place, away from the hospital where families can be together.
Barry and Sandra McGuigan support the Appeal
Former world boxing champion and CLIC Sargent Patron, Barry McGuigan is Patron of the Northern Ireland Homes from Home Appeal, and his wife, Sandra McGuigan Chairs the Appeal Committee.
Barry says: “I know first-hand about the vital support CLIC Sargent provides for families affected by childhood cancer, because it helped our family when my daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 11.
“Home from Home accommodation in Belfast will help to reduce the emotional and financial strain for hundreds of families in Northern Ireland, so I’ll be doing whatever I can to encourage people to donate to, or support this appeal.”
How you can help
Make a donation
You can donate online at our Virgin Money Giving page.
Every donation to CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home appeal will be used to fund CLIC Sargent’s work in Northern Ireland.
Upcoming events
The following upcoming events are in aid of CLIC Sargent's Northern Ireland Appeal:
Malin to Mizen cycle
Take in some of Ireland's most stunning scenery as you cycle 415 miles from Ireland's most northerly point to the most southerly.
Acclaim Driving School VIP Karting Endurance Race
Acclaim Driving School is delighted to announce the V.I.P Team Endurance Race 2013 in aid of the CLIC Sargent Northern Ireland Homes from Home appeal.
For more information
If you would like to get involved and help support CLIC Sargent's Northern Ireland Appeal, please contact the Northern Ireland Appeal team on 02890 725 780.
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