Roy Hodgson has visited a Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University College Hospital in London to mark the end of a memorable first year in partnership with The FA.
Together with Under-21s head coach Gareth Southgate and his assistant Ray Lewington, the England manager presented a cheque for £300,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust at the recently opened Hub.
And Hodgson even took on the challenge of a game of pool from Arsenal fan and patient Elias Taylor, after the trio had met and spoke with all of the youngsters in the unit.
Hodgson secured an unlikely win too, with Elias potting an unfortunate black after racing into an early four ball lead.
Taking 18 months to construct at a cost of £2.6m, the Teenage Cancer Trust Hub is one of the largest the charity has built within an NHS hospital, and its first dedicated to outpatient treatment.
The groundbreaking facility provides day and ambulatory care treatment, as well as outpatient consultation for young people aged between 13 and 24 from across London and the surrounding areas.
Speaking at the visit, Hodgson said: “Football in England has a fantastic quality of capturing the attention of a great many people, and with such power to influence it is important to highlight causes that truly make a difference to young lives.
“Teenage Cancer Trust is an incredible organisation that does so much good for young people who carry such a heavy burden.
Roy described the courage shown by the patients as 'inspirational'
“Cancer can strike fear and make people feel totally isolated, but this charity brings teenagers and young adults together and gives them the right environment to recover.
“We have enjoyed a strong bond during this year, and it will continue with us through to the World Cup next summer.
“It was a pleasure meeting the young people on the unit, the courage they show is inspirational. I must also pay tribute to the hard working nurses and staff who provide exceptional care to those who attend the unit.”
Kate Collins, director of fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “As we have seen today, football can be a great force for good and to raise £300,000 in just one year is very impressive and much needed.
“We’re not a large charity so this is an excellent partnership – it is helping us to use football to continue our vital work and make sure that young people and their families don’t face cancer alone.”
Hodgson, Lewington and Southgate visit the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in London.
Unlike an ordinary hospital ward, the Teenage Cancer Trust Hub has been exclusively designed to bring young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in an environment designed just for them.
The Teenage Cancer Trust Hub features eight treatment pods, various treatment and consulting rooms, a gym, DJ booth, computer gaming space, education and social zone, a family area and café.
As well as the modern facilities available to patients, the 800 young people that come to the unit each year for treatment and check-ups have more control and responsibility for their chemotherapy treatment. Special chemotherapy backpacks provide a patient’s treatment on the move, giving greater independence and freedom without having to spend days in hospital.
The partnership between The FA and Teenage Cancer Trust also runs through to July 2014, a term of 19 months that began at the outset of this year.
The FA, celebrating its 150th anniversary, gave staff the opportunity to select a sole charity partner, with Teenage Cancer Trust benefiting from an initial donation of £150,000 and a range of activities to raise awareness for the tremendous cause.
FA partners and staff have fully embraced the charity, undertaking a wide range of fundraising activities including bake offs, skydives, competing in the London Marathon, scaling the Three Peaks and Snowden, cycling 150 miles from Wembley to St. George’s Park, golf days and several auctions.
Roy takes to the baize...
Club England and Wembley have given young cancer patients once-in-a-lifetime experiences – meeting the England team, enjoying hospitality at England matches and providing tickets to a fantastic range of concerts.
England v Scotland was a dedicated Teenage Cancer Trust international fixture, with activity at Wembley on the evening raising over £30,000. UEFA also supported The FA’s Official Charity Partner by making a one-off £50,000 donation to Teenage Cancer Trust as part of European football’s governing body’s social responsibility commitment around the UEFA Champions League Final.
Teenage Cancer Trust also funds two staff - an ambulatory care lead nurse who is responsible for developing the transition of care given traditionally as an inpatient into this new setting and a youth support coordinator.
The youth support coordinator helps young people share their experiences and fears with each other and encourages them to socialise by arranging activities and outings.
