Young friends set up shop for cancer charity

Best friends, Nancy Craig and Olivia Feenan, both 8 and from Lisburn, set up their own shop in Nancy’s house, selling handmade origami, tasty fudge and selfie opportunities with their mascot, ‘Gus’ the Arctic Penguin.

The pair also held an art competition for customers and their classmates.

The weekend-long event was to mark Gus’ birthday, the character that became the mascot for Nancy’s brother Charlie Craig’s fight against cancer. The girls wanted to use the occasion to raise vital funds for the special Unit where Charlie had been treated.

Nine-year-old Charlie, who was a pupil at St Joseph’s Primary School in Lisburn, sadly passed away last year after a brace battle with leukaemia.

Since then the local community has rallied round and held a number of events to raise vital funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, all in his memory.

Now, thanks to the support of friends, family and their local community, Nancy and Olivia raised almost £500 for the local children’s charity which supports the work of the medical team and staff at the Children’s Cancer Unit, as well as the young patients and families that are treated there.

Nancy explained: “We wanted to celebrate Gus’ birthday and we wanted Charlie to be a very special part of that.

“By raising money in his memory, we hope we can help more children who are unwell and spending time at hospital.

“Thank you to everyone who visited our shop and helped us raise so much!”

The Children’s Cancer Unit is based at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and is the only place in Northern Ireland where children can receive specialist treatment for cancer and blood disorders.

Accepting the funds on behalf of the Charity, Anna McDonald from the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity said: “We are so grateful to have ambassadors like Nancy and Olivia, who have both been so creative and generous in their efforts to support the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.

“They pulled together just some of their talents and encouraged friends and family to help them raise funds for a cause that was important to them.

“Their fundraising is a wonderful way to honour and remember their brother and friend, Charlie.”

The Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is the only place in Northern Ireland where young patients can receive their cancer treatment.

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity supports the work of the medical team and staff at the Unit, providing vital funds for essential equipment, additional staff and improved infrastructure and space at the hospital.

For more information on the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity or to find out how you can support the work of the Unit visit www.childrenscancerunit.com.