Caring - it's a family affair

A Liverpool based charity is celebrating the special bond between children, family and friends with a week long series of awareness raising activities. Kinship Carers Liverpool supports those selfless people who step in to look after a family member's or friend's child in their own home because they are not able to live with their birth parents. The reasons for this can range from the death of a parent, imprisonment, mental health issues or drug or alcohol addiction.

Research compiled by Liverpool City Council shows that there has been a more than 4% increase in kinship care placement in the City since 2016. This type of placement often provides greater stability for the children and is more likely to result in them from being discharged from the care system.

For more than 20 years the charity has been helping people in the City from its base at Ellergreen Community Centre in Norris Green.

As part of National Kinship Carers Week, that runs from 8 October to 12 October, the charity has organised a series of events to shine a spotlight on those who care.

Pauline Thornley, who is the project co-ordinator for Kinship Care Liverpool, said:- "We support the hidden number of carers out there who are looking after family members and keeping them out of the care system. We run courses and hold events and activities for both carers and young people, providing the support they need to help them through life's challenges. We offer unique and tailor made services that specifically address these families' needs."

The activity sessions are:-

► Monday, 8 October, 10am to 2pm - coffee morning, chat and bingo.

► Wednesday, 10 October, 6pm to 8pm - Kin kids celebration with entertainer, including a gaming bus and beauty bar.

► Thursday, 11 October, 10am to Noon - Legal workshop on kinship care orders.

► Friday, 14 October, Noon to 3pm - High Tea for Kin Carers. A celebration and thanks you to our Kinship Carers for the dedication they show to their kin kids.

All the activities are taking place at:- Ellergreen Community Centre on Ellergreen Road, Norris Green, L11 2RY. Anyone who is a Kinship Carer is welcome to attend.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Barry Kushner, said:- "We know from experience that it is really beneficial for the children to have the continuity and comfort of being looked after by relatives rather than being placed in care. Our own information is telling us that more consideration should be given to promoting use of kinship carers and in particular for older children. Kinship Carers Liverpool consistently raise this issue with us. They do amazing work and we need to build on the support that they provide to young people."

For more information:-

►   Kinship Carers visit their website, of follow them on Facebook and on Twitter.

►  You can view a video about the work of the charity on Vimeo.

►  Kinship carers can find out more about the events and the organisation by calling:- 0151 270 2108.

Devoted Southport fundraiser honoured for more than 30 years of support for cancer research

DEVOTED cancer research fundraiser, Olive Cutts has been honoured for her dedication and four decades of support at North West Cancer Research's 70th Anniversary awards ceremony. The 78 year old from Southport was handed the Chairman's Special Award at the gala dinner evening last weekend, acknowledging her efforts in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.

Olive started fundraising for the North West Cancer Research more than 30 years ago when her son, then 11 years old, was diagnosed and treated for blastoma cancer. Over the years, as chair of the Southport fundraising committee, Olive has organised hundreds of events to raise money for North West Cancer Research, the same charity that funded the researchers who helped her son make a full recovery all those years ago.

In the last 12 months, the committee of 14 volunteers have raised ₤35,000 thanks to events such as an annual afternoon tea and 'Call My Bluff' cheese and wine evening.

Olive said:- "It is an honour to have been selected for the Chairman's Special Award. 30 years ago, I started helping out at a few small events organised by the Southport committee. After learning more about the wonderful work North West Cancer Research does to support the fight against cancer, I knew it was something I had to continue doing. I'm so proud of everything the Southport group have achieved over the years, and this award is as much theirs as it is mine. It was a very terrifying encounter that put me in contact with the charity, when my son George was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, he went on to make a full recovery, but I always think of what might have happened had it not been for the North West Cancer Research funded surgeon who operated on him, and ultimately saved his life. I hope to continue fundraising for the charity for many years to come."

The Chairman's Special was awarded to Olive at the Gala dinner on Saturday, 29 September 2018, at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, Stanley Park by North West Cancer Research chair, Nigel Lanceley.

Nigel said:- "Olive is one of North West Cancer Research's fundraising heroes. After joining the Southport Committee more than 30 years ago, she has risen through the ranks becoming secretary and then chair. Olive has raised a staggering amount for us over the years and in the past has acted as a valued Trustee of the charity. It was with pleasure that we awarded Olive the Chairman's Special award, I can't think of a person better suited for it."

The North West Cancer Research 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner honoured the efforts of the charity's life long fundraisers and researchers, who together have helped the organisation become one of the leading independent cancer research charities in the region.

In the last 18 years the charity has supported ₤39 million worth of research across the North West, supporting ground breaking projects at University of Liverpool, Lancaster University and Bangor University.

Special guests included Lord Mostyn, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, as well as Roger Phillips who hosted the evening's awards.

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said:- "On behalf of everyone at North West Cancer Research, I would like thank all of our fundraisers, researchers, corporate supporters and donors, whose continued efforts have guided us over the last 70 years. The awards allowed us to reflect on their collective achievements so far. As well as looking back, it also gives us a chance to look forward to the future. We are currently funding 50 research projects and our network of fundraisers is growing every day, helping us continue to fund innovative life saving research here in the North West."

To find out more about North West Cancer Research and to support the charity visit:- NWCR.Org.