Julie Kent, Founder
Emily’s Gift is a children’s cancer appeal launched by Julie Kent MBE last March under the umbrella of the Pied Piper Charity.
For the many of us that know Julie, she is full of energy, ideas and on a mission to raise £500,000 to fund a psychologist to support children and families on the Emily Kent Unit (paediatric oncology) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and secure the post for 10 years.
On 10 March 2024 the final amount will be revealed at an event for all who have helped Julie on her journey, including families from the oncology unit and the many individuals and businesses who have pledged. The event is an open house from 3pm – 5pm at Gloucester Brewery.
Julie said: “The pain of a childhood cancer diagnosis is indescribable, emotional support is desperately needed now.
“No child should ever experience cancer. The generosity of the people and businesses in Gloucestershire will help us to provide professional emotional support for children and their families to help them cope with the trauma.”
In 1995, Julie Kent and her husband Bernard’s first daughter Emily sadly died of a brain tumour when she was just three years old. Since then, they have thrown themselves into fundraising for children with cancer in Gloucestershire.
In addition to children in remission who need to be scanned regularly, there are currently 37 children receiving cancer treatment in the Emily Kent Unit. A psychologist will help provide the professional emotional support that the children and their families desperately need, and Gloucestershire is the only cancer unit in the southwest that doesn’t have one.
Julie deserves this recognition on International Women’s Day for her outstanding fundraising achievements and passion to do good.
