Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2017

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. I don’t think I need to mention why this cause is so close to my heart but I do feel it is important to get the facts and figures out there for people to see. So here are some facts about childhood cancer for you:

The cancers seen in children are usually very different to those seen in adults and “childhood” refers to any child aged between birth and fourteen years old.

There are twelve main types of childhood cancer:

*Leukaemia

*Soft Tissue Sarcomas

*Kidney Tumours

*Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS)

*Bone Tumours (Like the one Georgie had)

*Carcinomas and Melanomas

*Retinoblastomas

*Gonadal and Germ Cell Tumours

*Liver Tumours

*Sympathetic Nervous System Tumours

*Other and Unspecified Tumours

Childhood cancer is quite rare and makes up 5% of all cancers. Around 1,600 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year, which roughly works out at thirty one children per week. Around one in every five hundred children in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer.

The UK’s childhood cancer rates are amongst the lowest in Europe, with Northen Europe having the highest incidence rate.

Leukeamia is the most common childhood cancer. Two thirds of all childhood cancers are  leukeamia, brain and CNS tumours and lymphomas.

Surviving Childhood Cancer:

More children then ever are surviving cancer. The survival rate has doubled since the 1960’s and at least 5,600 MORE children now survive for more then five years after diagnosis.

Around 33,000 people in the UK have survived a type of childhood cancer and almost three quarters of children with cancer can now be cured of the disease.

For every ten childhood cancer sufferers – eight will now survive for more then five years after their diagnosis:

*Nearly all children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are cured.

*Survival rates for Hepatoblastoma have doubled since the 1960’s.

*Around six out of ten children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are cured.

*Eight out of ten children with kidney cancer survive the disease.

*Rhabdomyosarcoma survival rates have doubled since the 1970’s.

Childhood cancer deaths:

Cancer is the UK’s leading cause of death (from disease) in children aged up to fourteen. A fifth of all childhood deaths are down to cancer.

Brain and CNS tumours are the most common fatal type of childhood cancer.

Around two hundred and fifty children die from cancer every year in the UK.

Childhood cancer death rates have halved since the 1960’s.

Causes of Childhood Cancer:

We don’t know much about what causes childhood cancers but there are several things we do know:

*Rare genetic syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (what Georgie had) can greatly increase a child’s risk of developing cancer.

*Children with Down ’s syndrome have a greater risk of developing leukaemia.

*2/5 retinoblastomas are linked to a faulty gene that has been inherited.

*Children that have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the past are at greater risk of developing a second cancer (As Georgie did)

Having watched a loved one fight childhood cancer, my heart breaks for every family going through the same thing. Sending lots of love to all the incredible children out there fighting cancer. 

I will be doing more posts throughout the month to highlight childhood cancer. I will also be doing some blogs for Children with Cancer UK so look out for those too.

My aunt has written a book about Georgie and his story as a childhood cancer sufferer. I will warn you it is a difficult read, but it does give insight into life as a family affected by this horrific disease. If you would like to read it, the book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-George-Irene-Kappes/dp/1502741482/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504421560&sr=1-1&keywords=For+the+love+of+George

A percentage of all sales goes to the George Pantizarka TP53 Trust, the charity founded by my family in Georgie's memory.

xx

Cancer Research UK Annual Review 2016/2017

This is one of my favourite blogs to do every year!

A frequent question myself and other CRUK volunteers are asked is "where does my donation go?" People are aware that millions are donated every year but many aren't aware of what these funds are spent on. CRUK have released their annual review and, as usual, I'm going to break it down so that people can see where the money is going.

Let me first explain that 80p of every £1 donated is spent on research. That is a huge amount and probably one of the best in the third sector. The other 20p is used to raise funds for the future

Let me first point out that CRUK does not receive any government funding for their research. Government funds for medical research are spent via the Medical Research Council and National Institue for Health Research. CRUK is an independent medical research charity so the money spent on our research is all generated by our supporters.

£647 Million was raised by CRUK Supporters between April 2016 and March 2017:

*£187 Million was raised by legacies (People leaving money in their wills)

*£190 Million was raised by regular donations (there are over 1 million people making regular donations)

*£102 Million was raised by trading (the CRUK shops)

*£65 Million was raised by over 600,000 people taking part in events (for example Race for Life, Shine, Dryathlon etc…..)

*92 Million was raised by Royalties and Grants (Royalties = generated from treatments developed by CRUK, Grants = received by CRUK institutes)

*11Million was raised in other forms – i.e. investments and rental income from the lease of a lab.

9/10 donations are less than £10 which goes to show that every penny really does count and giving what you can afford, even if it isn’t a lot, really can make a huge difference.

£432 Million was spent on Research between April 2016 and March 2017:

*112 Million was spent on researching the biology of cancer

*43 Million was spent on lung cancer research

*35 Million was spent on bowel cancer research

*33 Million was spent on breast cancer research

*22 Million was spent on prostate cancer research

*18 Million was spent on leukaemia cancer research

*17 Million was spent on pancreatic cancer research

*13 Million was spent on brain cancer research

*13 Million was spent on ovarian cancer research

*13 Million was spent on over 100 cancers including stomach and testicular

*12 Million was spent on oesophageal cancer research

*12 Million was spent on melanoma research

*9 Million was spent on non Hodgkin lymphoma research

*5 Million was spent on sarcoma research

*4 Million was spent on liver cancer research

*4 Million was spent on myeloma research

*4 Million was spent on bladder cancer research

*4 Million was spent on kidney cancer research

*4 Million was spent on neuroblastoma research

*3 Million was spent on cervical cancer research

*3 Million was spent on skin cancer (excluding melanoma) research

*3 Million was spent on pharyngeal cancer research

If you are upset or concerned that not enough is being spent on a particular cancer type, please be reassured that the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is there to spread research throughout it’s partners and make sure research is not being duplicated by charities – so a cancer type particularly close to your heart may be receiving more research from another charity partner within the NCRI.

The rest of the CRUK funds for this financial year were spent like this:

*41 Million was spent on information and policy work such as early diagnosis, prevention, campaigning, communicating health messages and engaging patients, the public and health professionals

*108 Million was spent on fundraising such as marketing to engage new supporters and developing new ways to fundraise

*85 Million was spent on trading costs such as stock, rent, electricity and salaries for CRUK shops and their managers.

Improving Fundraising:

It is important to note that since July 2017 CRUK has become an opt in charity, which means supporters are asked if they wish to give the charity permission to contact them before asking for more support – if you choose to not give permission then you will not receive any marketing or fundraising requests from the charity.

Key Stats:

*over 40,000 volunteers (like me!) gave millions of hours to the charity during the last year.

*12,000 queries were answered by the Helpline nurses

*220 clinical trials were supported by CRUK across the UK

*12,000 face to face engagements with healthcare organisations took place during the year.4

*2.6 Million read the CRUK science blog

*15.7 Million pounds were raised during the third Stand Up To Cancer TV show.

*770 People (like me!) joined the Patient Involvement Network to help improve CRUK’s work

*116 PHD students started working for CRUK this year

If you would like to know more specific information, including the successes the charity had during this financial year, please check the annual review, which is available to download on the CRUK website.

A huge thank you to everyone that supports CRUK every year – we are making progress!!

Cancer Types – Neuroblastoma

I think most people have heard of Bradley Lowery by now, but just in case you haven’t, he was a young boy who touched the nation’s hearts as a young football fan stricken by a rare childhood cancer. He united the football world with “cancer has no colours” as many tried to create lovely experiences and memories for him during the last few months of his life.

Sadly Bradley passed away on Friday 7^th July 2017 at the age of six. Like so many other people across the UK, I have been touched by Bradley’s cheeky smile and he has inspired me to restart this blog. Today’s post is dedicated to this wonderful boy and his family.

What is Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a rare childhood cancer, mostly affecting children under the age of five. In the UK there are around one hundred cases diagnosed per year. It is rarely seen in older children, teenagers or adults.

Neuroblastoma gets its name from the nerve cells it develops in – neuroblasts:

                *neuro = nerves

                *blast = early developed cells

                *oma = tumour

Neuroblastoma usually starts in the abdomen – in the adrenal glands or the nerve tissue found at the back of the abdomen. As with many cancers, it spreads to other parts of the body such as bones, liver and skin via the blood and lymphatic system. This is usually found in half of neuroblastoma sufferers.

Causes of Neuroblastoma:

Unfortunately not much is known about the causes of this cancer type at present, although research is being carried out. Around 1/100 cases will find a family history of this cancer type but this is very rare.

 Symptoms of Neuroblastoma:

Symptoms for this cancer type, like most of them, will depend on which part of the body the cancer has started in. If the cancer has already spread then symptoms may appear in more than one place.

As neuroblastoma usually develops in the abdomen the most common symptom is a lump in the tummy, which can cause the child’s stomach to swell and cause discomfort and pain.

In the occasion that it affects the spinal cord it can cause numbness and loss of movement in the lower body, as well as weakness.

On rare occasions it can appear as a lump in the neck and can cause breathlessness or difficulty swallowing.

Neuroblastoma tumours usually spread to the bones which can cause pain and swelling as well as difficulty walking.

Any of these symptoms should be urgently investigated by a doctor. It is hugely important that any lumps found in children, especially those in the abdomen, are referred to a specialist within 2 days of being presented at A&E or to your GP. If you are concerned by symptoms found in your child, please push your medical professional for an urgent referral.

Diagnosing Neuroblastoma:

As with most cancers, there are a variety of tests which can be used to diagnose the cancer as well as determine its stage. These tests are not normally painful but some may require sedation, especially for young children.

Tests could include:

*Blood tests

*Chest X Ray

*CT, MRI or Bone Scans

*A biopsy or bone marrow biopsy

*Urine tests

*MIBG –this is a particular scan to diagnose neuroblastoma as they absorb a substance called MIBG. The doctor will attached a small amount of radioactive iodine to MIBG and inject it into the bloodstream. The neuroblastoma cells pick up the MIBG and the iodine shows up on the scan.

Treating Neuroblastoma:

As with all cancers, treatment for neuroblastoma is dependent on the stage of the tumour, and the risk group of the patient – i.e. how likely is the cancer to return at a later date.

The most common treatment for this cancer type are:

*Surgery – the surgeon will try to remove the whole tumour, or as much as possible. If the tumour hasn’t spread then surgery may be the only treatment required, providing the surgeon is able to get the whole tumour and clear margins around it.

*Chemotherapy – This can be used to kill the cancer cells. Doctors may use two or three different types of chemo. The main side effects will include tiredness, hair loss, nausea and an increased infection risk. A central line will be inserted for the child to receive the chemo and will be kept in place for the duration of their treatment. We used to call Georgie’s his wiggly when he was little.

*Radiotherapy – Children with advanced neuroblastoma may require targeted radiotherapy, which is similar to the MIBG process I explained above. However, children needing this may require a stem cell transplant as the dose of radioactive iodine may damage the bone marrow.  A stem cell transplant is done by doctors who collect some blood stem cells from the patient before treatment and store them until the child is ready to have them injected back into their body after treatment.

*Immunotherapy - This is a type of drug treatment used to help the immune system kill cancer cells. It’s a biological therapy which is often used if there is a high risk of the child developing neuroblastoma again.

Recurrent neuroblastoma (where the disease had been treated previously but has returned) depends on a number of factors. This can be treated the same way it was treated previously but usually the treatment is much more intense and will include a number of the treatments mentioned above. Clinical trial treatments may also be offered.

Long Term Effects of Neuroblastoma:

Your specialist should talk to you about the possible long term effects of cancer on your child. As treatments improve these effects are lessening but they are still there. The risks include fertility issues, hearing problems, changes in the heart and kidneys, growth problems and the risk of developing a second cancer. Childhood cancer sufferers should be closely monitored as they grow up and should have access to doctors and information regarding these effects.

Research is being conducted into various issues surrounding this cancer type, including causes, diagnosis and improving treatments for it. It is a particularly cruel cancer as it affects young children and a lot of work is being put into trying to find out more about it to improve survival rates.

Obviously, your child being diagnosed with cancer is unimaginable and truly horrific. Should you be concerned then there are people that can help:

The Neuroblastoma Society is run by parents and grandparents of neuroblastoma sufferers and they have a befriending scheme for affected families.

The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) produces booklets for parents and siblings of childhood cancer sufferers which can be incredibly helpful. I have very dear friends that are part of this group and can personally vouch for their dedication and knowledge.

You can also contact the Cancer Research UK information nurses on 0808 800 4040 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. They can offer advice on what support is available. This is a Freephone number.

Regular readers of this blog will know that childhood cancer is something my family has been affected by, and a subject very close to my heart. I send lots of love and good wishes to all sufferers and their families.

xxx

Volunteers Week 2017 - Why You Should Consider Volunteering

"The greatest gift you can give is your time because when you give your time you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back"

In October 2017  I will be marking seven years as a volunteer for Cancer Research UK. In that time I have been part of some incredible things and have had some of my proudest moments. But the defining part of my life as a volunteer is the amazing people I have been able to meet and get to know. The people I now call my friends. The people I call my volunteer family.

It's no secret to those that know me that volunteering for Cancer Research UK is one of my favourite aspects of my life. I meet incredible people and do incredible things on a weekly basis. I am challenged, I am inspired and I am frequently left in awe of the people I get to meet. I openly admit that if I ever won a significant amount of money I would leave full time employment and volunteer for the charity on a full time basis.

The charity have tens of thousands of volunteers. Most of them are like me; willing to donate large portions of their spare time to the cause we believe in. My spare time is precious, I don't have a lot of it. I genuinely have to believe in something and really want to do it if I'm going to drag myself away from the sofa to do it. Whenever I meet a new volunteer and they ask for tips I always say the same thing "once you've volunteered for one thing, you'll become slightly obsessed and find yourself volunteering more and more" that is true. I started out as just an ambassador. Now I volunteer to help at events like Race for Life, I've spoken at volunteers conferences and various other things.

When I first started volunteering my mum was really worried. I have been surrounded by cancer for almost my whole life. I’ve lost many people. I’ve experienced much sadness and loss at the hands of cancer. She couldn’t understand why I would want to be associated with the subject in such a full on sort of way. At first I couldn’t understand why but gradually I came to realise that my mum was worried that I would develop attachments to people who would eventually pass away and make the hole in my heart caused by all the loss even bigger. The truth is my mum was right about this.

I had known Dawn Green for many many years. There are not enough words to describe how wonderful this lady was. In 2008 Dawn was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP).

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is a very rare type of cancer that usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a polyp. Or, more rarely, it can start in other parts of the bowel, the ovary or bladder. This polyp eventually spreads through the wall of your appendix and spreads cancerous cells to the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus, which collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin.

Dawn was given just three months to live and the cancer was so rare that her doctors didn’t know much about it at all. Whilst fighting the disease Dawn noticed a distinct lack of emotional support for people fighting this form of cancer.

Dawn decided to set up a charity to help others in her situation. Pseudomyxoma Survivor aims to provide emotional support for anyone dealing with this type of cancer and to prevent anyone feeling alone or isolated during their fight against the disease.

Dawn put PMP on the map. She worked tirelessly for those suffering. She raised money, she raised awareness, she helped everyone she could across the world. How she did it I will never know as most of the time she was struggling to survive the illness herself. She had major major operations and each time I held my breath waiting for the news that she hadn’t made it. But she defied the odds time and time again. I got used to this.

Dawn was a funny, kind, crazy, caring, interesting woman. She was a mum with so much fierce love for her two girls and her dog. She was an amazing friend. She was simply one of the best, and most inspirational, people I ever had the honour of meeting. The world is emptier without her. A sadder place. There is definitely a hole without Dawn for many people, myself included. I really hope she is at peace and reunited with her beloved Dad now.

So yes, my mum was right; my heart is at risk of more sadness by being involved with Cancer Research UK. But I really wouldn’t have it any other way. The people I have met are my friends, they provide me with inspiration. They look out for me. They make me laugh. They make me want to do more to help others. They hold a very special place in my heart. For Dawn we will keep on at Cancer and we will carry on helping others just like she did, hopefully with the same humour, passion and kindness she displayed to those that knew and loved her.

If you've ever considered donating some time to a cause then I can hand on heart recommend Cancer Research UK. The charity hugely appreciates their volunteers and go out of their way to make you feel informed, inspired and important. You'll meet people who will hopefully become good friends and you'll come away feeling like you've really made a difference.

There are many ways to volunteer:
Cancer Campaigns Ambassador - We ambassadors are a group of passionate supporters working hard to help CRUK effectively influence politicians, engage the local media in their campaigns and try to help them save lives. Our stories, experiences and passion have become one of CRUK’s most powerful campaigning tools and are vital part of their work.

As an ambassador the activities are varied and interesting:
* Communication with local politicians and parliamentary representatives; flagging up our campaign issues and persuading them to back us and take positive action on our behalf.
* Engaging with our local and regional press; securing coverage for our campaigns and raising awareness in our local area.
* Lobbying for specific cancer related campaigns.
I cannot find words big enough to describe how amazing I find my fellow ambassadors. We have formed a close group and we support, encourage and work together to make a real difference. It is a true honour to count myself as part of this inspiring group of people. If this sounds like something you might be interested in then I can promise you would be welcomed with open arms :)

Volunteering at an event- I  have volunteered at Race for Life a few times and it was brilliant. The atmosphere is always buzzing and the people I meet are infectious in their enthusiasm. There is also Shine, as well as Relay for Life and various other events such as marathons etc... These volunteer roles are perfect if you don't fancy partaking in a sports event but would like to be part of the atmosphere and support those taking part.

Volunteering in a shop- I'm really keen to get my grandad volunteering in one of the CRUK shops as I worry about him getting bored at home now he's retired. I've never met a CRUK shop volunteer who wasn't friendly, helpful and chatty. They are lovely people. This type of role would be perfect if you have a few hours to kill during the working day and would like to get yourself out of the house for a few hours! 

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the types of volunteering positions available with the charity. For more information you should take a look here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/volunteer/help-at-an-event

Cancer Treatments - Tamoxifen

Hello everyone,

This post is dedicated to Anna, a very lovely and brave lady currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Her Instragram posts are among my favourites because they are always so positive, even when she isn't feeling it. I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your famiy, Anna, and I hope 2017 brings you better health and lots of happiness.

What is Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer both before and after the menopause. It can also be used to treat other cancer types but the research I looked into focused on breast cancer, as with this post.

How It Works:

Many types of breast cancer are hormone sensitive and are stimulated by oestrogen and progesterone and Tamoxifen is usually prescribed for women with these types of breast cancer as their cancer cells have oestrogen recepters. The receptor is part of the breast cancer cell and the oestrogen attaches itself to this and stimulates the cell, causing it to divide and grow. Tamoxifen blocks this receptor. It also lowers the risk of the cancer returning after surgery as well as lowers the risk of the cancer developing in the other breast.

Male breast cancer is rare but it can also be treated with Tamoxifen if the same receptors are found.

Treatment with Tamoxifen:

Tamoxifen can either be prescribed as a liquid or tablet and is taken daily.

Common Side Effects:

*Hot Flushes and Sweats – these affect around 45% of women taking Tamoxifen

*Period Changes – If you take Tamoxifen before entering the menopause then you may find your periods become irregular or stop altogether. They suaully restart around six to twelve months after you finish your course of Tamoxifen, unless you are nearing the menopause.

*Fatigue – around 25% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from tiredness and fatigue.

*Pain in Joints- Around 25% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from painful joints

*Sickness – Around 20% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from sickness but this can usually be treated with anti sickness tablets.

TAMOXIFEN IS NOT A CONTRACEPTIVE AND IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO BECOME PREGNANT WHILST TAKING IT SO PLEASE SEEK ADVICE ON CONTRACEPTION FROM YOUR DOCTOR. TAMOXIFEN MAY HAVE A HARMFUL EFFECT ON A DEVELOPING FOETUS.

Occasional Side Effects:

*Vaginal Discharge or Vaginal Dryness

*Fluid Retention or Weight Gain

*Headaches

*Depression

*Hair Thinning

Rare Side Effects:

*Tumour Flare – If you have cancer that has spread to your bones then you may suffer from increased pain whilst taking Tamoxifen.

*Thrombosis – Your risk of blood clots can be slightly increased whilst taking Tamoxifen.

*Liver Changes – This are usually very mild and your liver will normally go back to nromla after treatment. Liver function tests may be needed.

*Eye Problems – Your eyesight may change but this should be checked out

*A Skin Rash may occur

*Womb Cancer – Your risk of developing womb cancer increases very slightly whilst taking Tamoxifen

Additional Benefits:

A recent study has indicated that breast cancer is less likely to reoccur in women that have taken Tamoxifen for ten years rather then the previously recommended five years. It is estimated that taking the drug for ten years reduces breast cancer deaths by a third for the first ten years and by half after that.

I hope you found this blog post informative. Please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information. I would be very interested to hear from any women that have taken Tamoxifen in the past or are currently taking it so please do get in touch if you have/are!

xxx

Cheer All Through The Year 2017!

Following on from the amazing success of Christmas Cheer 2016, I have decided to create a whole year of cheer for 2017. This is partly inspired by my friends, Luke and Faye, who do amazing fundraising events all year around for The Veronica Claxton Memorial Fund.

So, every month we will fundraise for one or two causes. Sometimes these causes will be linked to a specific campaign or awareness month, and sometimes they will just be because someone has suggested them or they are in the news. We will have fundraising pages open during that month and will aim to raise as much money as possible for those causes. The aim is to raise 5,000GBP by the end of the year for these causes combined and really make a difference to some deserving people in 2017.

As previously mentioned, 2016 has been a crazy year for the World. I know many people are feeling disheartened and worried about what lies ahead for us all. I was inspired to do some fundraising as a way to show people there is still good in the world and that the power does not lie with the people in charge, but it lies with us, the general public. Citizens. If we show kindness and understanding to each other then we can make the world a nicer, safer place for people around us. Little by little.

I firmly believe in volunteering. I was twenty one when I started and it changed my life. It gave me an outlet for my creativity. It developed my compassion and made me realise how fortunate I am. It gave me a circle of friends who share my interests and inspire me on a daily basis. It helps me make a real difference to the world around me.

I realise people have very busy lives and do not always have time to donate, so the idea of this is there is not much time required, I will do the work required! We will have raffles, events etc…. Or sometimes I will simply ask for donations.

If you have a cause you would like to include in this then please let me know, via email (pennyschristofi@gmail.com) or by the contact form on this site. If you have an event planned, or are taking part in an event next year and would like to be part of the team, please also let me know!

More Information to Follow Soon!! 

:) xx

Christmas Cheer 2016

2016 has been a crazy year for the World. I know many people are feeling disheartened and worried about what lies ahead for us all. I was inspired to do some fundraising as a way to show people there is still good in the world and that the power does not lie with the people in charge, but it lies with us, the general public. Citizens. If we show kindness and understanding to each other then we can make the world a nicer, safer place for people around us. Little by little.

I firmly believe in volunteering. I was twenty one when I started and it changed my life. It gave me an outlet for my creativity. It developed my compassion and made me realise how fortunate I am. It gave me a circle of friends who share my interests and inspire me on a daily basis. It helps me make a real difference to the world around me.

I am currently in the middle of my latest voluntary project – Christmas Cheer 2016.

I became an auntie for the first time in February this year and I immeadiately became obsessed with my niece, Mia Ariana. Since she came into my life I have become more aware of the fact that she is blessed to be able to grow up in a safe, loving environment. As a family we are able to provide her with material things as well as love. Many children do not have the same upbringing and I wanted to do something to change this in a small way. In honour of my niece, and to start teaching her from a young age to give back and do something to help others.

I decided to split the money between Cyprus and the UK as these are my home countries. My Stepdad works for the Metropolitan Police and takes part in their annual present appeal so I decided to support this cause. I was given a list of fifteen children, their gender and their age, to buy presents for. I also decided to help Crisis with their annual appeal to help the homeless. We will use some of the money to buy food and supplies to help them this winter. In Cyprus I decided to help the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council with their “Adopt a Family” drive. So we will use some of the money to buy food and presents for the underprivileged families in Cyprus.

My friends and family were very supportive and in total we raised an amazing GBP618.34/EUR723.85. This weekend we will be going out to start getting our supplies ready for delivery. I couldn't be more excited. Somehow it makes Christmas more special knowing we have helped lots of other families have a nicer one. I will post photos of our supplies when we have bought them!

Let me know if you will be doing something similar this Christmas!

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christmascheer2016