This September, a local charity is asking residents to get active as part of a new campaign to support children living with cancer.

Momentum children's charity has launched 'Move for Momentum', a physical fundraising challenge to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The charity is asking people to get moving in whatever way works for them to raise vital funds to support families facing the unimaginable.

Each day in the UK, 10 families find out that their child has cancer. Two of these children will not survive.

Momentum provides emotional and practical support to children undergoing treatment for cancer or other life-challenging conditions and their families across Kingston, Surrey, London and Sussex.

Momentum supports children like Florence (Credit: Momentum)

From counselling and creative therapies to hospital support and bereavement care, the charity is a lifeline when families are at their most vulnerable.

Sarah Woods, CEO of Momentum, said: "Move for Momentum is a fun way to move your body and do something great during a very important month."

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Woods said that the number of families who find out their child has cancer is sadly increasing.

"We want to make sure that we can be there every step of the way to offer the right support to families. But to do that, we need to be able to raise vital funds," she said.

The initiative is designed to be as flexible as possible. You could take part by walking your kids to school every day in September, taking on a swim challenge, or even organise a dance-a-thon.

There is a downloadable fundraising pack on the Momentum website with challenge ideas and advice on how to spread the word.

Momentum's roots run deep in Kingston.

The charity was started in 2004 by Bianca Effemey OBE, then a receptionist at Kingston Hospital.

Effemey saw first-hand how hard cancer treatment was for children, and she began collecting donations of goods and snacks to help comfort young patients.

This has grown into a charity supporting over 2,500 individuals in 2024/25, including more than 186 bereaved families.

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Whether you are running, dancing, or doing yoga, every step and movement can help make a difference.

To find out more or to sign up, visit www.momentumcharity.org