Nicole launches cancer appeal

A BRAVE Chadderton youngster who is battling cancer has launched a charity scheme to help children.

Thirteen-year-old Nicole Hankes joined supermarket management and staff in East Didsbury to kick-start the Tesco Charity of the Year partnership with the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The initiative aims to raise £5 million from fundraising in Tesco stores, offices and distribution centres across the UK to fund specialist children’s cancer nurses so that more children like Nicole can spend more time at home and less time in hospital.

Events planned range from sponsored sky dives and abseils to organising cake bakes and fancy dress days in store.

Donations will also be made from the sale of certain products, while a contribution will be made every time a cash machine is used at Tesco.

Nicole is having treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and her dad, Wayne Hankes, knows first hand the importance of having a specialist nurse.

He said: “I’ve been trained to give Nicole some of her treatment at home, but it would be better if a nurse could come and do it.

“I know that some parents aren’t comfortable doing it — my wife didn’t want to — but it’s better than having to go into hospital all the time, especially if it’s not that close to where you live.

“We’ve had some nursing care at home which we have found really helpful, but in a situation like ours you can never receive enough help or support and a CLIC Sargent nurse would have been amazing.

“CLIC Sargent nurses help to co-ordinate a child’s care, visit their school and carry out some treatment at their home.

“It would be wonderful if we could raise enough money to provide a CLIC Sargent nurse for everyone because the less time children spend in hospital, the more likely they are to be able to live a more normal life.”

Nicole was diagnosed in January, 2008, and is being treated at the new Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Mr Hankes added: “Nicole’s doing well at the minute and she finishes her treatment in May, which will be great. She goes into hospital a lot less than she used to and once she’s there she’s not so bad, but she used to get all upset about going in.

“She’s at North Chadderton School now and they’ve been brilliant to make sure that everything is taken care of. I can’t speak highly enough of them.

“Nicole was still at her junior school, Chadderton Hall, when she was diagnosed and the pastoral care has been amazing. Her old head teacher used to make a point of writing to her regularly and even made trips to visit her in hospital.

“She used to be really sporty and was into dancing and netball, but she’s physically not up to it at the moment.

“Nicole does have a dog now though. She’s wanted one for years, so we bought her Alfie, who she loves.”