‘Young Lives vs Cancer’ - Our nominated charity for 2026
Nottingham Operatic Society are delighted support this amazing charity in 2026!
Lucy Fisher, East Midlands Regional Engagement Manager says,“We are thrilled that Young Lives vs Cancer has been selected as the Nottingham Operatic Society Charity of the Year 2026! With no government funding, we rely on amazing partnerships like this to provide the funds and the platform we need to be able to support more children and young people facing cancer.”
“As a Nottingham local, and keen musician myself, I am especially excited to be working with such an amazing group of people who have such a long established history and successful performance record that is well recognised in Nottingham! I am a huge believer in the power of the arts to bring people together and what better reason to do this than helping to raise funds and awareness for Young Lives vs Cancer. I can’t wait to don my Christmas jumper, warm up my vocal chords and join Nottingham Operatic Society at a series of carol singing events this festive season for #TeamYoungLives!”
The difference your donations make
£100 – 6 days worth of power at a Home from Home to keep families comfortable
£500 – 1 essential financial grant to help families cope with the extra costs of Cancer
£1000 – 40 hours of support from a specialist Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker
£1800 – one family can stay at a home from home for a month
Follow us @YoungLivesvsCancer and look out for Nottingham Operatic Society charity activities on our Midlands Fundraising Facebook Page Like and follow if you can!
About cancer in children and young people
Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment usually begins immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.
About Young Lives vs Cancer
Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers who provide tailored support to children and young people with cancer (0-25) and their families. From the moment of diagnosis, our specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family, from information and guidance to financial support. We work in all the main children’s cancer treatment centres across the UK, working closely with doctors, nurses and other NHS professionals as an integral part of the team caring for children and young people with cancer. They’re there to help make sure families get the support they need throughout treatment and beyond, including bereavement support.
Cancer Costs
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. We also help families to get essential financial support to help face the average £700 of extra costs per month during treatment. We provide Young Lives vs Cancer grants and help them get the benefits and additional support they’re entitled to.
A Home from Home
We have 10 accommodation centres – Home from Homes - across the UK, offering families who live further away, a free place to stay nearby to the hospital when their child is going through cancer treatment. Our home from homes ease the financial burden of travel and help to keep families together in a more comfortable environment during the most challenging of times. Our Home from Home staff are there to support them during their stay. The Home from Home serving families across the East Midlands (who access treatment at Nottingham City Hospital, Queen’s Medical Centre and Leicester Royal Infirmary) is called Billy’s House
Creating Change
Through extensive research and by campaigning for policy change in the things which matter most to them, we raise awareness of children and young people’s experiences and champion their voices to politicians and decision makers across the UK. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. Our most recent campaign has seen the UK government commit to a Cancer Plan, including a dedicated travel fund of £10,000,000 to help all children, young people and their families manage the cost of getting to their appointments.
