A CHARITY is urging people to purchase a raffle ticket for a fundraiser organised by an Ulverston family to 'help fight child cancer.

The Wilkinson family are raffling off their Ulverston home in aid of Neuroblastoma UK, after their three-year-old daughter Oonagh was diagnosed at just 19 months old.

A spokesperson from Neuroblastoma UK said: "By raffling their home, Sam is raising much-needed money to help Neuroblastoma UK fund vital research into this aggressive childhood cancer.

"Every week, two children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the UK and like Oonagh, most are under the age of five.

"Neuroblastoma is one of the most common cancers in childhood and it can be difficult to treat.

"Aroundhalf of the children with agressive, high-risk neuroblastoma need very intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

"Yet despite all of this, the cancer comes back in around 40-50 per cent of these children and only half will survive long-term. Sadly, neuroblastoma has one of the lowest survival rates of all childhood cancers.

"Over the last 25 years alone, neuroblastoma UK has invested over £7 million to help scientists develop new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma, just like Oonagh.

"But the coronavirus pandemic has seriously impacted their fundraising, and this small medical research charity is experience its most challenging time since it began nearly 40 years ago. In Autumn last year, they were forced to delay funding of important neuroblastoma research due to a funding crisis.

"By buying a raffle ticket today, you can ensure that their important work continues beyond the pandemic - and help fight childhood cancer."

To purchase a ticket, with less than a week to go, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yc5627a4