Annual appeal for kids’ charity

Staff from the Sainsburys Local Store on Westfield Lane in Mansfield presented over 180 Easter Eggs donated by the store and customers to PASIC at Kings Mill Hospital on Saturday. Store Manager Adam Eteo, left, and Customer Service Assistant Becky Mason, right, are pictured presenting the eggs to PASIC Parent Member Julie Dixon, centre.

For it is asking the generous Mansfield and Ashfield public to again donate selection boxes to put a smile on the faces of children in hospital fighting cancer.

PASIC — the Parents Association for Seriously Ill Children — is asking the public and local businesses to buy an extra Christmas selection box when they do their own festive shopping.

The charity provides practical, financial and social support to families of young people and children who have been diagnosed or are receiving treatment for life threatening illness such as cancer, leukaemia and brain tumours.

For the past few years the charity has been overwhelmed by Chad readers’ generosity as Easter eggs have been given for its Easter celebrations - as well as selection boxes for Christmas festivities.

A spokesman for the charity said: “As a small charity it’s such a huge help to receive donations from our local communities, your kind help will help to bring smiles to the faces of lots of seriously ill children going through a really tough time.

“As a small local charity we are little known, most people only become aware of our charity when sadly they have a child, friend or relative who has been diagnosed with childhood cancer at Nottingham’s University Hospital.

“We believe that children and young people should not be made to feel any different to their peers, that they should have the same opportunities as other children where they can build support networks, friendships and confidence through adversity.”

This year’s party takes place on the 5th January and up to 250 parents and children are expected to attend.

Selection boxes will be given to all children attending the party and to children staying in hospital over Christmas.

Chad editor Phil Bramley said: “It never ceases to amaze me at the generosity of our readers in supporting this very special Christmas initiative. It really does help to bring a smile to the faces of some very ill local children and their families.”

If you would like to help, donations of selection boxes can be left at Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton.

For further information about how you can help, you can contact Sam at PASIC on 07874223462 or [email protected].