Creating 'Necessity' Boxes For Young Lives vs Cancer

Young Lives vs Cancer’s Homes from Home are a free place for families to stay when their child is going through cancer treatment. They’re close to treatment centres, helping families avoid the extra financial burdens of travel, accommodation, and food costs. They also allow young cancer patients to be close to their loved ones, keeping the family together at a difficult time.

The team packed a huge 74 boxes, meaning every room across England will have a box full of essential items such as toothbrushes, shampoo and some special treats for families staying at the Homes from Home over the Christmas period. Often, families need to rush to hospital, meaning essentials are forgotten for overnight stays while families are focusing on getting their child onto the ward for treatment. These boxes will provide real relief to families being supported by Young Lives vs Cancer over the holidays.

Throughout November, colleagues gathered and donated certain items each week ready to fill the boxes, with a total of over 700 items collected! Last week, the team came together from all regions for a volunteering day in Birmingham, packing all of the items and wrapping the boxes ready for delivery across England.

The team said the day was brilliant with everyone getting in the Christmas spirit, and very worthwhile knowing where the boxes were going and just what a difference these would make to the families receiving them.

Over the next few days, some amazing individuals from NHSPS travelled across the country delivering the boxes to the Homes from Home. All boxes reached the homes safely and Young Lives vs Cancer staff are so thankful for everyone involved.

At our London Hub, Jo Hancock, Head of High Value Fundraising at YLVC came in to meet with Trish Stephenson, Sheena Eyre and Carole Lavery-Maud for a handover of the boxes. Jo expressed what a difference the necessity boxes will have for families going through such a difficult time over the Christmas period and just how grateful Young Lives vs Cancer are to have the support of NHSPS.

Thank you to an amazing team for coming together and working so hard for families facing cancer this Christmas.

"I just wanted to share the importance of the 'necessity boxes'. I spoke to a mother over the weekend and explained the kind gesture of NHSPS. She told me that when her 4-year-old son was on treatment and time was precious she did not have time to go out and get shampoo and toiletries for herself. The mother said that having a wee gift box with these necessities is incredibly thoughtful... Well done NHSPS" - Fi Mcann, Young Lives vs Cancer.
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