CHARITABLE PARTNER

Since our founding in 2014, GCFS has had the privilege of supporting incredible charities that help countless people across Glasgow. From partnering with Glasgow’s “Golden Generation, Refuweegee, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, and most recently Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), we pride ourselves upon building a close relationship with our chosen charity, as we work to give back to our local communities and the people who have supported our growth as a society. 

Following our last campaign, which raised £39,069.77 for CHAS, we are delighted to announce that our upcoming campaign will be carried out in partnership with Young Lives vs. Cancer.

Young Lives vs. Cancer is a UK-based charity that provides support to young people with cancer between 0-25, as well as their families and loved ones. Among the charity’s key services are their Homes from Home, free accommodation for families to stay while their child is in treatment. In Glasgow, it is Marion’s House, situated just an 11 minute walk from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan. This not only provides a form of community for parents who have children with cancer, but helps them with the travel and accommodation costs that drastically increase following a cancer diagnosis. 

LAST YEAR IN MARION’S HOUSE 

18 nights was the average stay

66 families stayed

327 nights - the longest stay

2723 total days stayed by the families

The specialist social workers at Young Lives vs. Cancer are committed to alleviate the emotional, practical and financial burdens of a cancer diagnosis for young people and their families. They help to give out grants, liaise with schools and universities and provide a listening ear. Last year, the team supported 266 children and young people with cancer and their families.

One young person said:

‘My first contact with Young Lives vs Cancer was the day of my diagnosis, we were taken into a small room which had multiple different members of staff from the hospital in and one of the members was from Young Lives vs Cancer who I’m still in contact with to this day which is nice. My social worker was able to get my family support, grants from different charities and even a new Xbox for myself to help with isolation and the new diagnosis.’

GCFS is committed to raise awareness and funds for Young Lives vs. Cancer throughout the 2025/26 academic year, making cancer care and support services more accessible for the student community. By augmenting the voices of young people with cancer, we endeavour to celebrate the charity’s work and the people affected by it.

Read the full interview with Claire Cobban: https://www.gucfs.co.uk/blog/a-cancer-diagnosis-is-more-than-medical-in-conversation-with-claire-cobban

Image credits: Young Lives vs. Cancer | For press enquiries contact press@gucfs.co.uk