Latest news with #YoungLivesvsCancer
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mum shares two year-old daughter's cancer story for TV advert
"There are no words to describe how you feel; your world turns upside down," said a Leicestershire mother whose daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer at just a year and her daughter Nancy from Castle Donington will feature in a new national TV advert to help raise awareness for Young Lives vs Cancer, a charity that supported the family during her now two-year-old was diagnosed with ependymoma in 2023 and had two brain surgeries, then high-dose chemotherapy treatment to prevent the cancer from coming back."The more donations the advert brings in, the better, as it's our way of saying thank you to the charity for all the support they've given us," said Gemma. In October 2023, Gemma, 32, said her daughter started being sick and then began to experience tremors. "I still get cold shivers now thinking about it; it's still not sunk in what she went through," she originally received treatment at Royal Derby Hospital before being transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where she had two brain surgeries and 13 months of was not able to work during the treatment, so the family lived on one wage while facing extra costs during stays in hospital. "It was hard; we spent more time at hospital than we did at home," said Gemma. "To be apart from my five-year-old son and for Nancy to be apart from him was hard, too."Young Lives vs Cancer provided the family with a grant at the start of Nancy's treatment, which helped with the extra costs. It has also been a source of emotional support throughout the toddler's brain surgery, Nancy had to go through several milestones for the second time, which included learning to crawl. Since getting the all clear on 6 January this year, Gemma said the family were now trying to return to "normal"."It took her a while to adjust; Nancy is doing things any toddler would do, such as drawing on walls and playing around in mud," said Gemma."We will try and get back to normal, but it's hard to remember what that was like. Gemma said there was a chance Nancy's cancer could come back one day because she was too young to receive radiotherapy treatment."We now want to go on lots of holidays, see things we want to see together and just spend time with her while she is ok," said Gemma. "Hopefully, the advert will bring in more donations, and we want to make sure we raise awareness to help diagnose brain tumours early."
Rhyl Journal
09-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Relaxing lottery rules in NI ‘would hand charities multimillion funding boost'
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has launched a public consultation on her private member's bill that seeks to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. Current legislation prevents organisations like the People's Postcode Lottery, which runs a subscription-based lottery model, from operating in Northern Ireland. That contrasts with the National Lottery, which is governed by a different legislative framework and can operate in Northern Ireland. The People's Postcode Lottery, which is backing Ms Mulholland's Bill, raises more than £19 million a month for charities in Great Britain. It estimates it could raise more than £25 million for charities in Northern Ireland in five years if it was able to expand to the region. The figure would increase to £7 million a year after year five, the organisation said. North Antrim MLA Ms Mulholland launched the public consultation on a visit to a facility in Belfast run by the charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Amy's House offers free accommodation to families to stay close to their children when they are having cancer treatment at the nearby Belfast City Hospital. The UK-wide charity benefits from People's Postcode Lottery funds in Great Britain but is unable to avail of support in Northern Ireland. On the visit to Amy's House, Ms Mulholland said: 'The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide. 'Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland. 'In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefiting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well. 'Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.' The Bill is backed by a range of charity representatives in Northern Ireland. Rachel Kirby-Rider, the chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, voiced her support as the consultation was formally launched. 'We have some great facilities here at Amy's House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,' she said. 'But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations. 'Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People's Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve, however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.' Clara Govier, managing director of People's Postcode Lottery, said there is 'great untapped potential' for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. 'For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland's proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support,' she said.
Leader Live
09-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Relaxing lottery rules in NI ‘would hand charities multimillion funding boost'
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has launched a public consultation on her private member's bill that seeks to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. Current legislation prevents organisations like the People's Postcode Lottery, which runs a subscription-based lottery model, from operating in Northern Ireland. That contrasts with the National Lottery, which is governed by a different legislative framework and can operate in Northern Ireland. The People's Postcode Lottery, which is backing Ms Mulholland's Bill, raises more than £19 million a month for charities in Great Britain. It estimates it could raise more than £25 million for charities in Northern Ireland in five years if it was able to expand to the region. The figure would increase to £7 million a year after year five, the organisation said. North Antrim MLA Ms Mulholland launched the public consultation on a visit to a facility in Belfast run by the charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Amy's House offers free accommodation to families to stay close to their children when they are having cancer treatment at the nearby Belfast City Hospital. The UK-wide charity benefits from People's Postcode Lottery funds in Great Britain but is unable to avail of support in Northern Ireland. On the visit to Amy's House, Ms Mulholland said: 'The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide. 'Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland. 'In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefiting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well. 'Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.' The Bill is backed by a range of charity representatives in Northern Ireland. Rachel Kirby-Rider, the chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, voiced her support as the consultation was formally launched. 'We have some great facilities here at Amy's House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,' she said. 'But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations. 'Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People's Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve, however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.' Clara Govier, managing director of People's Postcode Lottery, said there is 'great untapped potential' for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. 'For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland's proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support,' she said.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Relaxing lottery rules in NI ‘would hand charities multimillion funding boost'
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has launched a public consultation on her private member's bill that seeks to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. Current legislation prevents organisations like the People's Postcode Lottery, which runs a subscription-based lottery model, from operating in Northern Ireland. That contrasts with the National Lottery, which is governed by a different legislative framework and can operate in Northern Ireland. The People's Postcode Lottery, which is backing Ms Mulholland's Bill, raises more than £19 million a month for charities in Great Britain. It estimates it could raise more than £25 million for charities in Northern Ireland in five years if it was able to expand to the region. The figure would increase to £7 million a year after year five, the organisation said. North Antrim MLA Ms Mulholland launched the public consultation on a visit to a facility in Belfast run by the charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Amy's House offers free accommodation to families to stay close to their children when they are having cancer treatment at the nearby Belfast City Hospital. The UK-wide charity benefits from People's Postcode Lottery funds in Great Britain but is unable to avail of support in Northern Ireland. On the visit to Amy's House, Ms Mulholland said: 'The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide. 'Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland. 'In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefiting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well. 'Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.' The Bill is backed by a range of charity representatives in Northern Ireland. Rachel Kirby-Rider, the chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, voiced her support as the consultation was formally launched. 'We have some great facilities here at Amy's House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,' she said. 'But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations. 'Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People's Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve, however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.' Clara Govier, managing director of People's Postcode Lottery, said there is 'great untapped potential' for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. 'For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland's proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support,' she said.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Relaxing lottery rules in NI ‘would hand charities multimillion funding boost'
Assembly members have been urged to back a law change that supporters claim would deliver a multimillion-pound windfall for charities in the region. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has launched a public consultation on her private member's bill that seeks to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. Current legislation prevents organisations like the People's Postcode Lottery, which runs a subscription-based lottery model, from operating in Northern Ireland. That contrasts with the National Lottery, which is governed by a different legislative framework and can operate in Northern Ireland. The People's Postcode Lottery, which is backing Ms Mulholland's Bill, raises more than £19 million a month for charities in Great Britain. It estimates it could raise more than £25 million for charities in Northern Ireland in five years if it was able to expand to the region. The figure would increase to £7 million a year after year five, the organisation said. North Antrim MLA Ms Mulholland launched the public consultation on a visit to a facility in Belfast run by the charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Amy's House offers free accommodation to families to stay close to their children when they are having cancer treatment at the nearby Belfast City Hospital. The UK-wide charity benefits from People's Postcode Lottery funds in Great Britain but is unable to avail of support in Northern Ireland. On the visit to Amy's House, Ms Mulholland said: 'The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide. 'Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland. 'In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefiting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well. 'Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.' The Bill is backed by a range of charity representatives in Northern Ireland. Rachel Kirby-Rider, the chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, voiced her support as the consultation was formally launched. 'We have some great facilities here at Amy's House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,' she said. 'But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations. 'Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People's Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve, however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.' Clara Govier, managing director of People's Postcode Lottery, said there is 'great untapped potential' for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland. 'For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland's proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support,' she said.
