For families facing the unimaginable upset of a child’s cancer diagnosis, Gold Geese is there to offer them support and practical help.
Children’s cancer charity Gold Geese is celebrating five years during which it has helped more than 100 families affected by childhood cancer in Southend and Basildon.
Since its launch in 2018, the charity has also increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, and boosted local blood donation and stem cell registrations.
Founder and CEO Katie Southgate said: “Five years ago we took flight as Gold Geese with the aim of supporting every local child affected by cancer, and encouraging more people to recognise the signs and symptoms as they can be similar to other childhood illnesses.
“We’ve grown from strength to strength because of the incredible support of our local community so we want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters and volunteers.
“A special thank you to the paediatric community nurse team, especially Connie for her referrals and support, and Neptune Ward’s play specialist Clare Gentry for maintaining contact between us and the families that need us. You power us so we can be there for families and we’re so grateful.”
The charity, which was originally called Hattie’s Heroes, was founded by Katie in 2018, following her child’s cancer diagnosis.
Katie set up the charity to help other local families in the same situation. Her child is now cancer-free. Gold Geese provides practical and emotional support to local families of children and young people fighting cancer.
Support is tailored to each family’s needs, and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.
The charity relies on community support and fundraising and they will be sharing some highlights on their social media pages this month, with events over the last five years.
Big events include the Go Gold campaign where local shops and schools turn gold in September, turning a c2c train gold, a much-loved Christmas grotto, the Nuclear Races mud run, golf days, bike rides, and events at The Hatch, The Boundary and Leigh Community Centre. Gold Geese receives no Government funding and relies on community donations for its work.
Part of the Gold Geese "family"
During the five years the charity has been running, the Gold Geese team have helped more than 100 families through the toughest times of their lives.
Many families feel the support of Gold Geese offers them the chance to be a “normal” family during an extraordinary time.
Mum Sam, whose daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma, said: “When Piper was diagnosed with cancer it was the worst day of our lives, everything changed from that day.
“With all the bad moments we’ve had, we’ve also had some good and life brought us Katie and Gold Geese and I’ll be forever grateful.”
The charity provided the family with practical support to help with daily life.
“Gold Geese have provided us with shopping vouchers and hotel stays so we can all be together during lengthy hospital stays. They also provided days out for us, which are equally important because those days we can feel like a ‘normal’ family,” said Sam.
“Just receiving these kind gestures and help really does alleviate some of the stress and pressure that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
“The support that Gold Geese provide means so much to so many people going through such horrific and life-changing times.”
Charity events
The charity also has many fundraising and awareness events throughout the year. One event was Charlie’s Gig, which was held in 2018 in honour of a local teenager who needed a bone marrow transplant.
Gold Geese worked with Charlie Reed, a keen musician, to encourage local people to register as potential bone marrow donors while he was waiting for his own transplant. Just days before Charlie headed into hospital for weeks of isolation, to endure huge doses of chemotherapy and then a bone marrow transplant, he headlined his own gig organised by the charity.
Katie Southgate explained: “Charlie played like a rock star to his fans in Leigh. We produced printed memorabilia with Charlie’s slogan, festival wristbands for all the fans - some of which are still worn! - and confetti cannons to top off the lasers and smoke machines.
“Charlie sadly passed away and is sorely missed by so many, every day. His family will always have our love and support.” See www.goldgeese.org Gold Geese is a lifeline for many families experiencing childhood cancer.
To refer a child to Gold Geese individuals can use the contact form at www.goldgeese.org/contact and upload the necessary information there.
Gold Geese receives no Government funding and relies on community donations for its work.
Contact Gold Geese at www.goldgeese.org, on Facebook.com/goldgeesecharity and instagram.com/goldgeese
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