Gold Geese 7th Birthda - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Gold Geese 7th Birthday – A LEIGH charity has just marked seven years of helping Essex families affected by childhood cancer.

Gold Geese 7th Birthday - A LEIGH charity has just marked seven years of helping Essex families affected by childhood cancer.

Leigh On Sea News: Gold Geese 7th Birthday – A LEIGH charity has just marked seven years of helping Essex families affected by childhood cancer.

A LEIGH charity has just marked seven years of helping Essex families affected by childhood cancer.

Gold Geese launched in 2018 following founder Katie Southgate’s daughter’s own cancer diagnosis.

Since then, the charity has become an important resource for families, offering tailored support including mental health therapy, treats, respite trips, help with hospital transport and food bills, as well as bereavement support and help for families adjusting to life after cancer.

The charity relies on community support and fundraising, with events over the last seven years including its annual cancer symptom campaign seeing shops and schools turn Gold in September, in addition to a much-loved Christmas Grotto, alongside events at The Hatch, The Boundary and Leigh Community Centre.

The charity has helped may families since their inception.

One, Anna, whose 11-year-old son Oliver died with cancer in February 2025, said: “Gold Geese has been a lifeline to our family.

“Paying for an amazing trip away for my son’s last birthday with extended family meant so much to us and provided us with memories that we will always cherish, and another trip after my son passed to help our remaining family just take a break and reflect on what it means to become a three.

“Having someone to talk to who understands what I’m going through is something I don’t think I could have gotten through the last two years without, and the care and love and help that has been provided to both my sons, the one who didn’t survive his brain tumour and the one who is still here, is just astounding.

“There are no words to express how grateful I am to Gold Geese and to Katie, and to all the people who so generously donate money to help families like mine.”

Ms Southgate was invited to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party last month in recognition of her services to the local community.

She said: “Seven years ago, we launched Gold Geese with the aim of supporting every local child affected by cancer and encouraging more people to recognise the signs and symptoms as they can be similar to other childhood illnesses.

“We really care and that’s what makes the job harder, the loss and the fear around childhood cancer is immense.

“We do our best to help, even in a tiny way, and we’ve grown from strength to strength because of the support from our incredible local community. So, our birthday feels like a good point to reflect on everything we’ve all done together and say a huge thank you to all our supporters and volunteers.

“We want to make this year’s symptom awareness campaign in September our biggest yet, so please get in touch if would like to get involved.”

To get involved email the charity’s fundraising manager Kathryn at: [email protected].

You can donate to Gold Geese via its website www.goldgeese.org or via text. Text GOLD followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70580. Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

Pictures: : Oliver, mum Anna and brother George at Center Parcs trip provided by Gold Geese & Katie Southgate at Buckingham Palace, May 2025

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