Shaun Rankin becomes an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust

Michelin starred chef of Bohemia, Shaun Rankin, has become the Channel Islands Ambassador for a charity that helps young people across the UK fight cancer. Shaun’s role for Teenage Cancer Trust will include leading fundraising campaigns and representing the charity at many different events in the UK and in the Channel Islands.

Teenage Cancer Trust has been supporting young people who suffer from all forms of cancer for the past 21 years. Every day six young people from across the UK aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer. Usually placed on a children’s ward or with elderly patients, young people often feel extremely isolated when facing a cancer diagnosis. Teenage Cancer Trust therefore builds specialist units in NHS hospitals where young people with cancer are treated with others their own age, in an environment suited to their needs.

Monies raised from fundraising campaigns that Shaun will be supporting will go towards the building and equipping of a new unit at Southampton General Hospital. This 10 bed unit will cost Teenage Cancer Trust over £1 million to build and means for the first time, young cancer patients living in Hampshire, Dorset and across the Channel Islands, will be treated together. This unit will also complement the existing 17 the charity has already built in NHS hospitals across the UK since 1990.

The Southampton unit will provide day care and inpatient facilities including social and recreation areas, a kitchen and dining area, digital lighting systems, broadband connectivity and cutting edge computing, gaming and entertainment equipment. Alongside these facilities will be a medical team of teenage cancer specialists whose knowledge creates a body of expertise that is second to none.

Shaun is already planning to visit an existing Teenage Cancer Trust unit in London and the hospital in Southampton where the unit will reside. Shaun also hopes to help with the design of the kitchen areas and a diet guide for patients. Shaun will then support the charity at various fundraising events. One of his first challenges will be to assist with the charity’s first ‘Blue Day’ a new Teenage Cancer Trust event, the details will be revealed at a later date. Shaun has also been given support from The Club Hotel and Spa who have pledged to make Teenage Cancer Trust their chosen charity this year. They will be assisting with fundraising and hosting charitable events to raise much-needed funds.

Shaun will join a host of other celebrity ambassadors for the charity including; Joe McElderry (X-Factor), Noel Fielding (Comedian), Harry Judd (McFly) and charity patron Roger Daltrey (The Who).

Helen Haynes, Regional Appeals Manager, Teenage Cancer Trust said: ‘We are all really excited to welcome Shaun as the Channel Islands Ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust and from meeting him, we have identified many ways in which he can help us. Fundraising for the Southampton unit development is doing really well and myself and the local committee hope the support from prominent figures such as Shaun Rankin and businesses such as The Club Hotel and Spa will help us reach our ultimate £1 million goal.’

Shaun Rankin, Head Chef, Bohemia, said: ‘I am honoured to be asked to be an ambassador for the charity. I know some of the young people have very specific dietary requirements so I hope to meet some of them and help by creating different menu ideas for teenagers with cancer. I also want to help with the kitchen design for the Southampton unit. I am really looking forward to the events planned for 2011, working together with The Club Hotel & Spa team I hope we can make a real difference to the fundraising results.’

For more information on how you can get involved in the Southampton please contact Helen Haynes on helen.haynes@teenagecancertrust.org or call 07943 817274.

Tags: Bohemia, pictures, Shaun Rankin, Teenage Cancer Trust

Category: Charity