History

Of

The Youth Cancer Trust was Brenda Clark’s dream.

Brenda lost her only daughter, Tracy Ann, to cancer. Tracy was 21.

During her daughter’s illness, Brenda desperately wanted somewhere she could take Tracy, somewhere she could be with people her own age who knew what she was going through.

Determined to give other youngsters suffering with cancer that opportunity, she threw all her energy into making her dream a reality. It took a few years, but it happened with the help of John Scott OBE.

John Scott OBE and Brenda

Tracy Ann House (a converted hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset) was named in memory and the Youth Cancer Trust was registered with the Charity Commission.

The object: To provide young people, aged 14 to 25, suffering with any malignant disease from anywhere in the UK a free activity based holiday away from often-exhaustive treatment and anxious parents.

Since 1997, over 500 young people have enjoyed a free holiday by the sea with the opportunity to take part in activities such as horse riding and water sports.

And the emphasis at the house is on some much needed normality and fun

The Youth Cancer Trust was formed and the house was opened in 1998. It’s a small and dedicated hands-on team at the charity.

Brenda does the cooking, the cleaning and some of the paperwork with the help of James Keating, Georgina Hillman, Julie Dugan and volunteers, as well as going out with the youngsters on their activities during their stay.

Brenda, Jim and Georgina are always available to listen to the youngsters’ problems anytime of the night and day.

Parents know that their child is going to a real home-from-home and the youngsters know that they are going to have a wicked time with others who are sharing this experience.

They have formed strong bonds with a lot of the young people and have regular telephone contact with them at other times of the year.

Horse riding

The Youth Cancer Trust is a unique charity. It is the only charity in the UK which offers this type of holiday.

The youngsters can take a brother, sister or a friend with them and are free to pick and choose which activities they would like to take part in.

All the under 18’s are accompanied by Brenda or Jim.

The Youth Cancer Trust evaluates its success through the huge amount of positive feedback they receive from the young people, their social workers and their families.

“Macmillan Cancer Relief has been proud to be associated with The Youth Cancer Trust since October 1998. Feedback from the young people who have spent time with Brenda and Jim is invariably positive and it is obvious that the service provided is extremely important in improving the quality of life for young people, at a particularly difficult time in their lives”

Fran Williams
Service Development Manager (Macmillan Cancer Relief)

Find out more about where you'll be staying and the people who run the YCT here.