CLIC Sargent provides free accommodation close to hospitals to help with spiralling costs following a cancer diagnosis. Children can be left feeling fearful and isolated as they are separated from their family and friends, and parents must consider the logistics of where to sleep themselves, which often means splitting up families for extended periods.

Through CLIC Sargent’s ‘There’s no place like home’ programme, they aim to address these issues.

McClay Foundation funding will ensure CLIC Sargent can continue to provide two ‘Homes from home’ in Belfast, where families are able to stay as long as they need whilst their child undergoes cancer treatment at a nearby hospital.

Paul’s House, Falls Road, Belfast:

• Hosted a total of 101 family stays
• An additional 39 families used the facilities of the home during the day
• The average stay was 15 days
• The longest stay was 123 days
• Families who stayed at the home saved an average of £1,186 in accommodation costs

Amy’s House, College Gardens, Belfast:

• Hosted a total of 71 family stays
• An additional 12 families used the facilities of the home during the day
• The average length of stay was 29 days
• The longest stay was 220 days
• Families who stayed at the home saved an average of £2,782 in accommodation costs

With the help of the McClay Foundation, CLIC Sargent have helped to reduce the financial cost and emotional impact of cancer for over 100 families from Northern Ireland, enabling them to stay together when it matters most.