Children’s cancer charity in Great Missenden receives boost thanks to grant

A grant of £250 from The Midcounties Co-operative will help a children’s cancer charity in Great Missenden to offer support to even more local families who have lost a child to cancer.

The Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund will use its grant of £250 towards the cost of hosting its Angel Ball, a black tie event where parents who have lost a child to neuroblastoma can come together to support each other and raise money for research into the disease.

The event took place at the Crowne Plaza in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire and involved a formal dinner and dance, as well as an auction and raffle to generate research funds.

The fund was set up by 9-year-old Thomas Ball in 1999. Thomas was undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma himself. The charity aims to help children who are suffering from cancer by offering support, donating medical equipment, raising funds for research and organising holidays.

Elaine Ball, chairwoman of The Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund said: ‘This grant will enable us to reach out to even more families who can find themselves with little support after losing a child.

We’d like to thank The Midcounties Co-operative for its ongoing support over the years. Without donations like this we wouldn’t be able to continue supporting children and families going through a difficult time in their lives.‘

The Midcounties Co-operative has a long standing relationship with the fund, having donated money to the cause in previous years. This most recent grant was issued in January 2017 following a successful application to the Society’s community fund, which provides funding to worthy recipients throughout its trading areas.

The provision of grants is a key part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s ‘Regional Communities’ strategy, which sees members and colleagues come together to provide impactful and sustainable support for local community groups through volunteering and fund raising initiatives.

Mark Taylor, Leadership Team Ambassador at The Midcounties Co-operative in High Wycombe, said: ‘Our grants scheme is our way of supporting organisations that make a valuable contribution to the Buckinghamshire community.

The Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund makes a huge difference to the lives of children and families affected by cancer and we’re pleased to be supporting them once again to help them continue their great work.‘