Last year the people of Winslow and surrounding villages & towns came out in force to support Alecs Angels on June 24th 2012. Over 2000 people raised in excess of £7,000 with Graham Fisher’s International It’s a Knockout as the main event.

The money raised has gone to support families and children who are receiving treatment for cancer. This provided practical support and helped to bring a smile to their faces, whether in hospital or at home.

Below are details of where your money has gone:

The Alec’s Smile fund which was set up to brighten the lives of children on Kamran Ward at The Children’s Hospital in Oxford, were happy to receive a cheque for £2000. This is the most direct way that we can support the dedication of the medical team there, who strive to ensure that both children and their family remain paramount during treatment. Some of this money was used to provide a special gift to a terminally ill teenager. The family had hoped to attend the Winter Wonderland in London, but when this was not possible medically the money was used in part payment for a laptop so that the teenager could access social networking and the internet from the comfort of her room. Her mum was delighted that this was made possible, but not as delighted as the teenager, who continues to make daily use of the gift.

Helen & Douglas House Hospice in Oxford were also delighted to receive a cheque for £2000. This money has helped to fund volunteers to assist with the practical things when a family goes home after their child’s stay at the Hospice. The volunteers help out with everyday chores such as gardening, cleaning and tidying, things that can often overwhelm families caring for their child who is terminally ill. Helping with these tasks means that the families can concentrate on the important things.

Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund make a positive difference to the lives of children suffering with cancer and leukaemia throughout the Uk, by offering practical, financial and emotional support to the whole family. They were also happy to receive a cheque for £2000 which has been used to provide a range of projects such as care grants and respite breaks. One of the projects is the holiday home hamper scheme, which consists of hampers made up and sent out to the holiday homes – containing all the essentials like tea bags, milk & bread to keep them going, allowing the families to relax and enjoy the time without the worry of food essentials. The money has also funded special days out, such visits to the seaside.

Clic Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children & young people, and helps families and supports children and young people from birth to 24years old. They .received a cheque for £500 which has helped with funding free accommodation close to the hospital , nurses & social workers to support parents & siblings & the patient in hospital.

Sarah & Michael Rego, are the parents of an 8 year old boy, Antonio.who had terminal cancer. They also received £500 which helped towards funeral costs and enabled them to give their son the best send off .

So a big Thank you from Alec’s Angels, with your continued support we can make the smiles keep on coming.