A BLANDFORD charity set up in memory of a brave ten-year-old has donated £10,000 to support families of children and young people living with cancer.

The family of Ted Newton created Teddy20 after the little boy passed away in 2010, following a battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, and has since raised thousands through events such as a 20-20 cricket fun day, Teddy Rocks festival, skydiving and charity balls.

It has now donated £10,000 to an appeal for Jean's House, a new "home from home" close to Southampton Hospital, to replace the existing CLIC Haven facility, run by children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent, where the family stayed while Ted was being treated.

Kim Newton 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.”

CLIC Sargent is currently transforming a former B&B into a new facility, called Jean’s House, to provide vital, free accommodation for young patients and their families during cancer treatment at nearby specialist Southampton Hospital.

Jean’s House will have seven en-suite family bedrooms sleeping up to four people, two open plan kitchen/diners, two lounges and a teenagers’ space, helping families spend more time together and avoid often debilitating travel and accommodation costs.

To help fundraise for the £1.6m appeal, contact Liz Blunt on 07944 696 858, email Liz.Blunt@clicsargent.org.uk or visit clicsargent.org.uk/movinghomesouthampton.