A young Mansfield man has thanked two cancer charities that helped him.

Shaun Gibson, 24, raised £2,550 by organising a fun-filled fundraising evening at the South Forest Leisure Complex, Edwinstowe, for CLIC Sargent, which helps children and young people, and MOVE Charity, which supports and inspires people living with and beyond cancer to move against cancer.

Shaun received support from both charities after being diagnosed in May 2019 and wanted to raise funds to give something back.

He decided to host a fundraising evening in February that included virtual horse racing, a raffle and an auction, where the lots included a pair of gloves from top boxer Anthony Joshua.

Shaun said “I’m delighted to say the event was a great success and I want to thank all who got behind it and were so generous with their donations.

“I’m really proud to be able to give something back to both CLIC Sargent and MOVE Charity. I’ve experienced first-hand the difference the charities make to the lives of young people with cancer.

“Cancer turns lives upside down and it’s so important that these charities are there to provide all the support that young cancer patients need.

“It feels great to be doing my bit to help these amazing charities keep up the good work.”

Last year in Nottinghamshire, CLIC Sargent supported 128 children and young people emotionally and financially, giving out multiple financial grants to the value of £19,673 to help individuals and families to cope with the costs of cancer.

MOVE provides 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer — a community-based initiative to encourage those living with and beyond cancer, families, friends and those working in cancer services to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at a local 5k Your Way Parkrun on the last Saturday of every month.

MOVE also provides an eight-week online building foundations programme for children and young people living with cancer through a functional exercise/activity programme designed specifically to the patient’s diagnosis, health status, goals and needs.

Holly Eyre, CLIC Sargent fundraising engagement manager for Nottinghamshire, said: “When cancer strikes young lives we fight tirelessly to limit the damage it causes beyond their health.

“We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Shaun enough for his fantastic efforts.

“Thanks to Shaun and everyone who donated, we will be able to help even more young people thrive not just survive after their cancer diagnosis.”

Luke Green, MOVE charity fundraising manager, added: “Shaun has experienced the MOVE online programme first-hand as we supported him through his cancer journey.”

For more information about CLIC Sargent’s work, go to www.clicsargent.org.uk

If you want to know more about MOVE Charity and their work, visit www.movecharity.org