Our Story

History

Tanya was an extremely courageous young lady of 17, who bravely fought Adult Acute Myeloid Leukaemia for the last 20 months of her short life. Before being diagnosed and during remission Tanya lived life to the full, inspiring others with her courage and determination.

During her last precious months, Tanya expressed the wish to help others of her age group. Therefore, in accordance with this wish and in her memory, her family set up a registered charity in 2005: "The Tanya's Courage Trust".

Objectives

The Trust's objective is to aid young people fighting Cancer, or affected by Cancer, throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by the provision of grants which can be used towards relieving their physical or financial needs.

We endeavour to support teenagers and young people fighting Cancer and their families but hope that as the charity grows we can widen the personal criteria of beneficiaries.

We have helped many beneficiaries: improving the spirit, life and well being of all those attached to the Trust.

Our ultimate aim has always been to be involved in developing a Teenage and Young Adult Cancer unit in Cornwall, this is now happening in Cornwall and The Tanya's Courage Trust has equipped 2 rooms in the new Headland Unit with all the latest entertainment equipment and much more.

What we can offer

At present we offer assistance to anyone aged 16-25 years. Ages and amounts granted are reviewed annually and individually. It is our hope as the charity grows we can offer larger amounts to more people.

YOU CANNOT SELF REFER

In order to apply for a grant you need to:

• Be referred through the hospital
• Via your Cancer Support Nurse or Doctor
• Or through your Social Worker

If our funds are low we will have a waiting list and awards of grants will be dependant on a diagnosis and prognosis. However, a waiting list is something we do not want and hope will never happen. Our aim is alwways to have enough funds in reserve to be able to help anyone referred immediately.

We have now started to offer a new service called the Entertainmnet Library, this works by us loaning items like Games Consoles, Games, DVDs, Laptops etc. This is a very new service but is already proving very popular with our beneficiaries, especially with those undergoing treatment and those who are in isolation due to low immune systems.

How you can help us

We have a very active fundraising committee and hold many diverse events throughout the year to generate the funds we need. Events held include: Fun Days, Music Festivals, Quiz Nights, Street Collections, and even Supermarket Bag Packing. We also have 2 shops in Cornwall, one in Penzance and one in St Austell, so we are always looking for volunteers to help in the shops. We rely heavily on kind donations from members of the public and businesses. Our committee is made up of all age groups, if you wish to join us or maybe just to volunteer now and again we are always extremely grateful for any help offered.