HELP how do I raise money urgently for a sick child

pippamannequin

Im trying desperately to think of how I go about raising money urgently to help my cousin whose little boy has Leukaemia.
He was diagnosed in April and after undergoing treatment has been in remission for the last 3 months until Wednesday.
He was rushed back into Great Ormand Street and is undergoing intensive treetment.
I dont want to go into too many details, the obvious has been stated.
Its devastating.
I cant do anything to help. I feel completely useless.

To add to this my Cous is in financial turmoil on top of her life falling apart, she's had to give up her job which they had kept open for her through the first time in hospital, she has a little one which means she has to travel daily to the hospital and pay for childcare.

I want to try and raise some money urgently for her to at least take this added burden off her shoulders. Its an immediate situation. She needs help now. She hasnt got time to do anything and she will let herself drown because her only concern is her son.
Can anyone give me any suggestions of how I can do something and help her.
Thankyou for reading this.
Sandra.

joggyb

Not sure what to suggest about raising money in a hurry... I'm sure someone here will have some ideas, though

Always worth a try doing a quick whip-round with a bucket, I guess - or why not get in touch with your/your cousin's local paper and/or radio station to raise awareness and ask for donations? A genuine local appeal usually gets a good response.

For help with travel and child care, it's possible that your cousin might be entitled to financial assistance, especially as she's not working. Call or drop in at your local Citizens' Advice Bureau and get their help - they'll have all the info you/she needs.

You can get an idea of what's on offer on one of their websites. For example, on help with health costs (including travel to/from hospital), go here

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health/help_with_health_costs.htm#helpwithtravelcoststohospital

It's perhaps worth asking people you know if they can help with the child care and transport issues, too. Surely someone could give her a lift, even from time to time? Every little helps, I would have thought. And people so often want to help when a little one is involved.

Good luck, and I really hope the situation improves for you all.

pippamannequin

Thankyou so much for your reply. I looked into help with costs to visiting hospital but the funding is there only if travelling with the child on visits to hospital.
It really is a slammed door in this situation, she cant get lifts to the hospital as its central London and she has to travel up by train hence the extortionate cost as anybody will know who is working in London.
This went on and on and on for her through the summer and she couldnt get any help anywhere.
Her little boys illness has come back so suddenly and shockingly fast and very very severe that she is just devestated AND sinking financially.
I need to get a bucket out and try something like that I know, but darent as there are so many rules and regulations and I didnt want to do anything wrong.:o

GiveItBack

Rules and Regs:

The good news. You can collect money from people as long as you are totally upfront and honest about where it's going.

I can ask people at work for a donation to the GiB beer fund to buy me a drink this evening. Difference is, I probably won't get it.

However, things like collecting on the street, you'll need a permit from the local authority, and they probably won't grant one for this cause. (Tends to be registered charties only). What ever you do, don't put the word charity on anything though,as this would be misleading.

Things to consider: bag packing in a supermarket. Some might let you, some might not. It is very imprtant though that you stress that it isn't a registered charity, and keep people informed about what it is.

Snags: at this time of year, most supermarkets already have bundles of bag-packs organised and you'll (anyone will) be lucky to get a place.

Perhaps a whiparound at her old work?

Something that might help - but not without your cousin's permission would be to contact a local newspaper and say that you're looking for advice on helping to cover the cost of travel etc. You'll probably get some bad ideas, some good ones, and who knows, you might just get a cash injection.

Amanda65

If you go to https://www.joblinks.org.uk you can search occupational benevolent funds which may be able to offer financial support to your cousin based on hers or her OH's work background

Heart goes out to your family, especially your cousin and her son. Let's hope that a Christmas miracle occurs xx

Jaytee

Hi Amanda

I have a friend who has been in a similar situation. She got great support and a grant from Macmillan Cancer Support. I think it was about £500 and it arrived within a week. She had to apply via her GP or oncologist but you should call the Macmillan Cancer Line on 0808 808 2020 (it's open 9am to 10pm from looking at the website) or email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk fro more advice.
It is absolutely disgraceful that someone suffering through a traumatic period should face the additional burden of financial hardship but help is out there.

I really hope this helps you. Good luck.

inkie

just to back the post above re: macmillan.

pippamannequin

Thankyou to all who have replied with sugestions, Im very greatful to you all, and for your thoughts.
I managed through much searching, to find a charity, CLICK SEARGENT, who have kindly said they would forward to my cous via the social worker at the hospital a payment of a couple of hundred pounds to help her with immediate travel and childcare costs that she has incurred this last week.
I spoke to the social worker at the hospital and she rang me to tell me my application had been successful and she would get the money to her asap.
This is great and I spoke to my cous and she was greatful, but i refuse to accept any thanks I just wish that these things were available without some relative having to take it upon themselves to find help in this situation.
Cous's little boy has finished his intensive treatment, he's very poorly and now we just have to hope and hope and hope all we can.
His white blood cell count was 341 and no more treatment is available, so please spare a thought and hope with me.
Im going to try again at the macmillan trust tomorrow, didnt get through tonight, just went onto answerphone, hopefully I can get some more help for my cous and make something less of a burden for her.
Thankyou so very much for everyone that has taken the time to reply.
xx

Belles

You should also try the family Fund https://www.familyfund.org.uk

They can help out with funding for visiting costs, and lots of other things that might be useful! The application process can be quite slow, but they do try to prioritise when situations are really bad, so it's worth explaining how bad the situation really is.

Good luck!

benood

Hi - just lost my original post - our son was at GOSH on Giraffe ward with leukaemia diagnosed at 2 months in late 2002 so I can relate to your cousins predicament.

First if by chance she has critical illness insurance this may pay out for children - we only realised it might after reading an article in the newspaper!

Clicsargent are great

https://www.caringbridge.org enable you to keep a diary to update friends and family - it can provide a great launch pad for raising money.

all-kids.org is a newsgroup for parents of children with ALL (there are others for different types of leukaemia). Its a bit American (as is caringbridge) but can offer good support.

I'll have a think about other stuff and post later - feel free to p.m. me if you'd like.

benood

Ah - she will be able to claim disability living allowance at the maximum rate - £250 approx a month - there may be other means tested benefits available too.