Gold Car Convoy

GOLD Geese, a small, Leigh based charity supporting families facing childhood cancer, is encouraging the community to learn the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and help spread the word.
September is childhood cancer awareness month, and around 1,900 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year. Gold Geese provides practical and emotional support to families of children and young people fighting cancer in Mid and South Essex.
Since its launch eight years ago the charity has helped over 200 families with support ranging from counselling and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.
While children’s cancer is much less common than adults’, symptoms can be similar to other illnesses and difficult to spot.
Some symptoms include unexplained vomiting, changes in the appearance of the eye or unusual eye reflections in photos, tummy pain or swelling that doesn’t go away, frequent or unexplained bruising, or a rash of small red or purple spots that can’t be explained.
Gold Geese CEO and founder Katie Southgate said: “We want as many people as possible to recognise the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, so kids can be diagnosed and treated sooner. It’s really important to trust your gut.
“If you do see any symptoms in your child don’t immediately panic – remember that they’re usually not cancer. But don’t be afraid to ask for further tests if you think there is something really wrong with your child.”
The charity’s symptom awareness campaign sees dozens of local businesses and schools turn gold or yellow to raise awareness of childhood cancer and show their support for local families affected.
Gold Geese has organised a bumper number of events this month to help raise awareness and funds for its support:
On Saturday 5th September, a special convoy of over 100 gold and yellow cars toured the streets of Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell and Southend to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
The charity has also collaborated with Leigh-on-Sea Brewery to develop a special Gold Geese beer, with 10% of every purchase going directly to the charity. A number of Gold dads took part in making the first brew and attended the launch party. The beer will be available to buy at several local venues including Mile and a Third, The Hatch and Bunker 19.
Leigh Marina will turn gold during Leigh Regatta this weekend, with a family fun day raising funds for Gold Geese.
CEO Ms Southgate will embark on a solo eight-day fundraising trek across the width of Essex, in remembrance of the Gold children who have passed away. https://www.justgiving.com/page/katie-walks-essex
Ms Southgate is hosting a signs and symptoms Zoom training event for parents, teachers, nursery managers and medical professionals.
On 26th September Legra Tap are hosting a closing party, with music from singer Eleanor Hudson and Tony Jefford from band Jackie Wilson Says.
Ms Southgate adds: We’d love to see as many people as possible join our events this month. If you’d like to support our campaign at school or work you could wear yellow or gold for the day, hold a bake sale or put up one of our posters.
“Just like geese stick together on their epic journeys, we’re showing our Gold families that the whole community supports them and we fly together.”
Free symptom awareness posters are available to collect from Metro Bank in Southend and Chelmsford, or email [email protected] to arrange collection.
The poster can also be downloaded from the charity’s website at https://bit.ly/symptomsposter.
For support, information or to donate visit www.goldgeese.org.
Picture: Last year’s Gold Car Convoy
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