PAC's Young People's Service

Our beautiful daughter Sophie died in December 2009 at the age of 24 after only being diagnosed with cancer the previous month.

The charity Positive Action on Cancer (PAC) provides free, professional counselling for anyone affected by cancer in Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset and West Wiltshire. Its Young People's Service supports young people aged 11 to 17 years of age. Some of them will have cancer while others are caring for or living with a parent or sibling with the illness.

Counselling is offered in schools and colleges, providing a safe, supportive environment where young people can talk to someone they trust, outside their family.

Young people often feel confused and frightened particularly if their parent is very ill and suffering the distressing side effects of cancer treatment. Bereaved children are more likely to have emotional, behavioural and concentration problems. They could be bullied or become bullies themselves, and are more prone to be excluded from school.

PAC has recently had to cut back on its services in schools due to lack of funding. It also wants to provide training and support to teaching and pastoral staff so they recognise signs of distress in young people affected by life-threatening illness or bereavement.

The annual cost of providing a free service in one school is £8000. So that PAC can re-establish its full Young People's Service in schools, and expand its work, please donate to this page in memory of Sophie and in support of this important cause - Sophie would have so wanted to help these children and young people herself.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you!

Rosie and Malcolm Parr