Fareham mum recognised for work to improve child cancer services
Charlotte Fairall's daughter Sophie passed away from cancer in 2021
A Fareham mother's campaign to fulfil her 10 year old daughter's bucket list has been awarded the Prime Minister's Point of Light Award.
Sophie Fairall lost her fight with cancer in 2021 but before she died she urged her mum to help improve child cancer services.
Since then, Charlotte's campaigned tirelessly to do so - from diagnosis to research, to feeding parents while they're staying with their child in hospital.
Cancer is the biggest cause of death for children under the age of 14 and there are frequent cases of diagnosis coming too late.
Gosport MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has been working with Charlotte over the last 18 months to develop a Childhood Cancer Mission, meeting with numerous health Ministers, including the Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, on February 2 who gave her the award.
The Childhood Cancer Mission provides a plan to improve diagnosis, research, patient experience, treatment, and the experience of survivors, where childhood cancer is often overlooked. Currently, 53% of childhood cancer cases are picked up at A&E rather than primary care.
It is because of this inspirational work that Charlotte has been recognised with the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. A Points of Light Award is given to one resident of the UK every weekday to volunteers who make a difference to their community and change lives.
Speaking after the award, Caroline said:
“Charlotte has worked tirelessly to campaign for improved child cancer services, from diagnosis, research, experiences of patients, treatments and survivorship.
This campaign makes a real tangible difference to other people’s lives. I can think of no one more deserving of this award, Charlotte has used an unimaginable tragedy to campaign for much needed change.
I am enormously proud of her.”
Charlotte Fairall said:
“I am so shocked to receive the Points of Light award. I’m just a mum who’s fighting to create change and carry out my daughter, Sophie’s, wishes. I was therefore so surprised to receive an award to recognise the work that I’ve been doing.
The true star and the one who should have this award is Sophie who, in her final weeks of life, thought of others and her desire to make a difference.”