AN AWARD scheme recognising the courage of children diagnosed with cancer is being launched in Oldham and is supported by Oscar award winning actress Emma Thompson and celebrity couple Peter and Emily Andre.
The celebrities are backing the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, which celebrates the strength shown by young people (aged 0-24) who have been affected by cancer.
Nominations for this year’s awards have now opened and the charity is calling on people to nominate young cancer patients and survivors from across Oldham.
Emma Thompson, said: “Every day, around 11 young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. I can’t think how scary that must be for them and how strong they have to be.
“I’m so proud to support the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards, as every child facing cancer should be honoured. If I could use Nanny McPhee’s magical walking stick to stop anyone getting cancer, I would.”
The awards are open to all under-18s who currently have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
All nominated children will receive a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and certificate signed by Emma Thompson and a whole host of famous faces Una Healy, Louis Smith, Aston Merrygold and Peter and Emily Andre.
Alison Barbuti, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens in Oldham, said: “The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards in partnership with TK Maxx recognises young people who have survived or are currently being treated for cancer.
“Our mission is to fund research to find new, better and kinder treatments for children and young people diagnosed with cancer in Oldham, and across the UK. We want to bring forward the day when no young person dies of the disease, and ensure that those who survive, do so with a good quality of life.
“So we’re calling on people in Oldham to nominate inspirational youngsters for this year’s Star Awards so that we can recognise their incredible courage.”
To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here