Gold Geese, a small local children’s cancer support charity, held a special Sunflowerfest to bring fun and sunshine to twenty-one Essex families affected by childhood cancer.
The event was held last week at Writtle Sunflowers at Pooty Pools Farm in Chelmsford and included live music, face painting, horse and carriage rides, special appearances from Spiderman and a Princess, and family photoshoots amongst the sunflowers.
Gold Geese is a registered charity providing tailored support for families fighting childhood cancer in South East Essex. Every family’s experience of childhood cancer is different, so support is personalised to each family’s needs and might include mental health therapy, toys and treats, respite trips, help with hospital transport and food bills, as well as bereavement support.
The charity also raises awareness of childhood cancer signs and symptoms, and encourages those who can to donate blood and register as stem cell donors, as these are sometimes needed in cancer treatment.
Gold Geese was founded by its CEO Katie Southgate in 2018, following her own’s child’s cancer diagnosis. Understanding the impact of a diagnosis, Katie set up the charity to help other local families in the same situation. Her child is now cancer-free.
One family attending the event shared their experience. Jovita Baryseviciene is mum to Leila Baryseviciute who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2022 and turned four this week.
Leila was diagnosed with cancer at Southend Hospital, took part in a research trial in Southampton and had surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Jovita Baryseviciene said:
“Leila is getting better now, her lines are out and we’re trying to have a normal childhood again. She’s become very shy, but she’s getting more confident around people.
“The Gold Geese Sunflowerfest event was amazing. The place, food, people, wow! We had the best time ever and we really enjoyed every moment of it. Leila had her face painted for the first time ever and she keeps talking about it. Gold Geese has helped us so much. They have always been here for us. We are so grateful.”
Katie Southgate, Gold Geese founder and CEO, said:
“In the hard slog fighting childhood cancer we aim to offer a little light and joy to our Gold families. We arrange treats like our Sunflowerfest as well as end of treatment parties, amazing experiences like being a firefighter for the day, theatre trip tickets, weekends away and toys to distract from uncomfortable treatments.
“Around 1,900 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it causes a huge upheaval for everyone in the family – emotionally, physically and often financially, and Gold Geese is there every step of the way for local families affected.
“Our slogan is ‘We Fly Together’, because geese are a team and no one is left behind. As we receive no government funding we rely on community donations and events like this to fund our vital work.”
To donate to Gold Geese or learn the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer visit www.goldgeese.org.
