A FESTIVAL set up in memory of a 10-year-old boy who died of a rare cancer has raised £10,000 to help other families.

The Newton family stayed at CLIC Haven, a ‘home from home’, nine years ago while Ted was undergoing treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma at Southampton Hospital.

The home is a place for families to stay so they can be near children having treatment, instead of having to travel miles from home.

Ted’s treatment was unsuccessful, and he died in 2010. But his family dedicated themselves to a charity in his name, Teddy20, which, through a number of fundraising events such as the festival Teddy Rocks, cricket fun days and other challenges, has continually supported CLIC Sargent.

The festival has gone from strength to strength, with this year’s event headlined by rock bands Feeder and Ash.

And its success means organisers have been able to make a substantial donation this year towards CLIC Sargent’s new home from home in Southampton, called Jean’s House.

Ted’s mum Kim said: “We were very happy to be in a position whereby we can make a real difference and provide much needed funds for the new ‘home from home’. Having spent many weeks at the current CLIC Haven House with Ted and the whole family we know first-hand what an incredible place it is. To be a short distance from your sick child but to be able to have a bath, wash your clothes and just have a few minutes to gather your thoughts is invaluable. Also, the financial implication of a daily two-hour drive meant we didn’t have to worry about that being an added burden. We will always be grateful to CLIC for everything they did for us as a family and we are delighted to continue to offer our support.”

The new home will replace the charity’s existing ‘home from home’ at CLIC Haven which opened in the grounds of Southampton Hospital in 1991.

and has supported thousands of families like the Newtons. In 2017/18 there were 113 family stays for an average length of three weeks. Jean’s House has been specially designed to be bigger and better than before, offering more space and comfort for families

The charity has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the £1.6million cost for buying and fully adapting the building. More than £1.2m has already been raised and just £400,000 is now needed to renovate and refurbish the property.

Visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/movinghomesouthampton