Birmingham City FC launches campaign for Teenage Cancer Trust

25/08/09

Birmingham City Football Club today announces its charity of the season – Teenage Cancer Trust.

Throughout 2009/10 the club will be raising money for the charity which helps young people fight cancer.

At the game against Stoke City today (Saturday), teenage cancer patients from across the West Midlands are being invited onto the pitch to celebrate the partnership. The youngsters will form a guard of honour for players to walk through at the start at the match.

The club’s campaign, “Keep Right On! For Teenage Cancer Trust” will raise money to help develop state of the art facilities at Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. The new day room for patients will have a comfy sofa, wide screen TV, pool table and juke box. It will be used by teenagers and young people from across the Midlands and parts of Northern England, who have been diagnosed with and are receiving treatment for bone cancers.

Blues manager Alex McLeish said: “When I heard about the facilities available for young people with cancer on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit, I was bowled over. The units have a very positive, upbeat feeling and are completely unlike a normal hospital ward.

“It’s so important that young people have their own space and the very best experience whilst they are in hospital. This season we are helping Teenage Cancer Trust raise money so they can build a special area for young people with cancer at the Royal Orthopaedic – let’s together raise as much as we can.”

Tom Degg, a 21-year-old from Huntington who is being treated for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, added: “It’s really exciting having Birmingham City supporting Teenage Cancer Trust this season.

“Getting cancer when you’re a teenager is really tough. But being on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit with people your age that can support you and know what you’re going through makes the whole experience much easier to cope with.”

Paula Hancox, from Teenage Cancer Trust, commented: “We are delighted that Birmingham City FC will be supporting Teenage Cancer Trust this year. Every day six young people are diagnosed with cancer. Through our units, Teenage Cancer Trust ensures that they have access to the best possible care and professional support.

“Birmingham City FC’s fundraising will help us extend this vital support to more young people from across the West Midlands.”

To make a donation to “Keep Right On! For Teenage Cancer Trust” visit www.justgiving.com/keep-right-on