Winding down while on a high

Sunday 10 December 2023

A charity which has strived to help young people living with cancer is calling it a day having raised £675,000 in just 13-years.

The people behind the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Guernsey Appeal said they are celebrating all they've achieved since 2010, but the time has come to "wind down operations".

The Guernsey Appeal was set up in 2010 by parents of young people going through treatment for cancer.

The charity says every day seven young people aged 13-24 will hear the devastating words "you have cancer" and that even though the local branch will cease activities any ongoing support for the charity's work is appreciated.

Suzanne Pontin, Chair of the Guernsey Appeal, said all of their work will continue to help young people and their families through the lasting legacy they've achieved.

“We have had fantastic support from so many individuals, schools and companies across Guernsey and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our work," said Mrs Pontin. 

Pictured above and top: Local volunteers have helped with many fundraising initiatives since 2010, helping to raise £675,000 locally for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“The time has come for us to close the Committee, but the legacy of the funds we have raised lives on, and the vital work supporting young people with cancer continues.  We encourage anybody who would like to continue supporting to contact the Teenage Cancer Trust team directly.

“We are very proud of our wonderful volunteers who, over the years, have made a huge difference to the lives of young people with cancer, and their families.”

Helen Farquharson, Senior Relationship Manager at Teenage Cancer Trust, said the work that Mrs Pontin and others have done has been truly "outstanding".

“We are so grateful for the absolutely outstanding support of the Guernsey Appeal and want to thank every member, past and present," she said. "This amazing group has gone above and beyond and volunteered so much time to raise funds and awareness on the island.  

“The money raised means that we can continue to provide the facilities young people need to be supported in Southampton.  They will have expert nurses to support them through treatment, dedicated youth workers to help them cope with anxiety and isolation, and a network of other young people to chat to.  

“No teenager or young adult should ever have to face cancer alone.  The Guernsey Committee’s support has made a huge difference to young people with cancer and thanks to them that support is still here.”

About the Teenage Cancer Trust:

• Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words "you have cancer".
• Teenage Cancer Trust puts young people in the best possible place, physically, mentally and emotionally, for their cancer treatment and beyond.
• Charity Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist hospital units, nurses and youth workers across the UK that provide outstanding age-appropriate care and emotional support to those in need.
• We do it through our expert nurses, support teams, and hospital units. And we're the only UK charity dedicated to providing this specialised nursing care and support.
• Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 (England & Wales), SC039757 (Scotland).  

The money raised locally since 2010 adds up to £675,000. That has helped pay towards the building of a dedicated Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Southampton General Hospital, which has also changed the experience of cancer for young people from Guernsey who will typically receive treatment there.

The Southampton Unit and dedicated expert team relies on support like the Guernsey Appeal’s to continue to operate and for more than a decade the Committee has worked with local businesses and schools on fundraising events while also supporting families in Guernsey in numerous ways including with travel to the UK.