Gold Geese, a small local charity supporting families facing childhood cancer, has had a busy September of awareness‑raising to help the community recognise childhood cancer symptoms.
The charity is based in Leigh-on-Sea and provides practical and emotional support to families of children and young people fighting cancer across Mid and South Essex.
Since its launch eight years ago the charity has helped over 200 families with support ranging from counselling and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.
September is childhood cancer awareness month and the charity organised various events to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, including:
A convoy of over 100 yellow and gold cars travelling from Leigh on Sea to Thorpe Bay
Launch of a Leigh on Sea Brewery beer brewed by Gold dads
A fully funded outdoor advertising campaign across Canary Wharf, showing the charity’s teen ambassador campaign with extra screens at Westfield, Stratford on 11th October – with thanks to Ocean Outdoor
Gold Geese family support video showing daily at the Big Screen in Southend – with thanks to Focal Point Gallery
An awareness webinar for teachers and parents
Shops hosting yellow and gold window displays in Leigh, Southend and Rayleigh
Decorating children’s hospital wards
Several schools and nurseries holding yellow and gold non-uniform days and awareness assemblies
Events at Southend Care and Leigh Marina
Community fundraising events including Katie’s Essex Way trek, a Snowdon climb, an ultramarathon, Squeeze the Day run club and in Great Wakering
A special yellow and gold Park Run in Chalkwell
While the primary aim was to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, community generosity meant the charity also raised over £10,000 to support local families.
About childhood cancer
While children’s cancer is much less common than adults’, symptoms can be similar to other illnesses and difficult to spot.
Some symptoms include unexplained vomiting, changes in the appearance of the eye or unusual eye reflections in photos, tummy pain or swelling that doesn’t go away, frequent or unexplained bruising, or a rash of small red or purple spots that can’t be explained.
Gold Geese CEO and founder Katie Southgate says:
“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in raising awareness of childhood cancer throughout September. By learning and sharing what to look out for, you’ve shown exactly what ‘we fly together’ means: we look out for one another and we help families get treatment and support sooner.”
