An Aberdeenshire mum is urging people to support a local cancer charity’s first ever Christmas appeal, following her son’s cancer diagnosis at the age of seven.
Clan Cancer Support has launched its Shine Bright Christmas Appeal yesterday (Thursday, November 3) with a target of raising £7,000, to fund its vital cancer support services across the north-east, Moray, Shetland and Orkney.
Annie from Ellon initially contacted the charity following her son Rayyan being diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia. Rayyan required three years of treatment, leading him to take extended time off school.
Rayyan received one to one therapeutic support from Clan’s Children and Families Services (CFS) Team in 2020 and in 2021. He continues to visit Clan’s CFS team following the completion of his medical treatments in June this year.
Annie said: “Clan has been a huge support to our family throughout Rayyan’s cancer journey. He was able to vent his frustrations around missing school and the charity’s online wellbeing group and Zoom storytelling sessions were a real highlight for him during lockdown.
“These activities gave Rayyan a bit of breathing space and the chance to make friends with kids who were affected by a cancer diagnosis. It also introduced us to other parents who were going through similar journeys.
“Clan helped us keep things as normal as possible during the most difficult time in our lives. I’m extremely grateful for the charity’s support and would urge those who are able to do so, to support the charity’s Christmas appeal to enable Clan to help more families affected by cancer.”
Clan’s Shine Bright Christmas Appeal allows donors to select and add a special decoration or present to a virtual Christmas tree, with each item representing a different gift for clients who rely on Clan for support.
Items range from a £5 bauble which could fund books to support a child affected by a cancer diagnosis, to a £100 star which could support the cost of an activity day to give CFS clients the opportunity to meet other young people going through a similar experience.
The online fundraising model is a new venture for Clan and it’s hoped the appeal will be popular with those looking to give a charitable gift this festive season.
“The Shine Bright appeal is a simple and fun way to support Clan and help us to provide vital cancer support services to people in the north-east, Moray, Shetland and Orkney.”
Duncan Peter, head of income generation at Clan, said: “As an independent charity, we are completely reliant on donations to ensure Clan can continue to provide a light in the dark to individuals and families who turn to us during troubling times.
“The Shine Bright appeal offers supporters the chance to invest in a very meaningful gift this Christmas which will help us continue to provide lifeline services to people of all ages who are affected by a cancer diagnosis.
“Whether you’re an individual looking for a solution to the office secret Santa, or a business that’s keen to make an end of year donation to a local charity, the Shine Bright appeal is a simple and fun way to support Clan and help us to provide vital cancer support services to people in the north-east, Moray, Shetland and Orkney.”
Clan Cancer Support is the largest, independent cancer support charity in the north of Scotland and provides emotional and practical support to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, including the individual, their family, carers and friends.
The charity provides free professional counselling, complementary therapies, nutrition and wellbeing activities, information and dedicated support for children and families across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
For more information and to make a donation to the Shine Bright appeal, please visit: https://bit.ly/3TT76Gg
