A Bristol charity which supports children and young people after a cancer diagnosis has received a £1,000 grant to help families struggling with rising energy costs.

Young Lives vs Cancer has secured the funding from Persimmon through our Community Champions scheme.

Each month we donate up to £64,000 to good causes across the UK.

Young Lives vs Cancer, which has two ‘Homes from Home’ in Bristol and an office in Lewins Mead, provides practical, emotional and financial support to people aged zero to 24.

The charity has created a Winter Emergency Grant to help people struggling to pay energy bills.

Jenny Mullen, the local Fundraising Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “We are very grateful to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.

“Cancer brings a range of financial challenges. Carers need to take time out of work, you need to travel to and from treatment regularly, and heating costs go up as a young person’s home needs to be kept warm whilst in treatment.

“On average it costs an extra £600 a month to look after a child with cancer – and this was before the energy price increases.

“We’re facing a situation we haven’t before. We know many families are really struggling to afford rising energy costs.

“Our Winter Emergency Grant will enable families to buy a suitable duvet, a warm winter coat for their child, and to keep the lights on at home.

“Persimmon’s donation will mean more families don’t need to choose between heating and eating when their child is sick.”

Carly Spear, Sales Director at Severn Valley region, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Young Lives vs Cancer with this money.

“It’s desperately sad to think that families who have a sick child to care for have the additional worry of how they are going to heat and light the house.

“It’s fantastic that Young Lives vs Cancer is there to help. If this donation helps just a few families then that’s fantastic.”

We are currently building new homes across Bristol at Howsmoor Common in Lyde Green, Brookfields and The Croft on Honeysuckle Road and Moorland Grove in Lawrence Weston.