AN 18-YEAR-old Tidworth teenager has raised hundreds to help children and young people with cancer and their families.

Emilie Young and her friend Ella Searle are studying uniformed services level 3 qualifications at Andover College, and as part of their time a college, they have been encouraged to volunteer for a charity.

Emilie and Ella organised a fundraising day on Wednesday, December 6 at college, which included a bake sale, a raffle, sponge throwing at teachers, rodeo reindeer rides, face painting, a festive photo booth and more.

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Andover Advertiser: Andover College students have raised £500 for Young Lives vs CancerRachel Jolly, curriculum leader for sport and public services at Andover College said: "Volunteering within the local community is an important part of the uniformed services course at Andover College; the unit of study provides students with a sense of responsibility and commitment, which is valuable for a career within either the armed forces or the emergency services. Students who volunteer are often more aware of the needs of their community and are better equipped to serve and protect it effectively."

The event raised more than £500 for Young Lives vs Cancer.

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Emilie said: “Having stayed at Jeans’ House during my boyfriend’s treatment for cancer, I am so grateful to Young Lives vs Cancer. It really is a ‘home from home’. You could turn up the with nothing; wash your clothes, have a shower with soaps provided, have something to from the food provided, watch something on TV with a cup of tea and have a good night’s sleep. I really can’t imagine how difficult life would have been for us if we didn’t have Jeans house. I organised this fundraiser as I wanted to give back to the charity that helped us so much.”

Jean’s House is owned and managed by the charity young Lives vs Cancer. It is close by to Southampton General Hospital and families are welcome to stay there free of charge for as long as they need to.

Liz Blunt, senior fundraising engagement manager for South Central from Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “A special thank you to Emilie and Ella for their wonderful fundraising. We only have our fantastic team of specialist Social Workers based at the nearest Principal Treatment Centre, Southampton Hospital, our grants and Jean’s House thanks to people like Emilie and Ella organising brilliant events as we don’t receive any government funding.”