HELP is getting into gear for three children on South Tyneside who are caring for their seriously ill father.

The children, aged nine, 11 and 14, from Jarrow, are supporting their dad, who is battling against a brain tumour.

But the youngsters often find visiting their father, who is in St Clare’s Hospice, Jarrow, difficult and stressful.

But help is available for the children and others, thanks to the South Tyneside Young Carers Project.

The scheme, run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, helps children aged four to 18, who care for loved ones affected by cancer, and offers services ranging from after school activities to one-to-one support.

Just Car Clinics, which has pledged to raise £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support over the next year, this week presented a car to the project, in a ceremony at Ridgeway Children’s Centre in Park Avenue, South Shields.

Sarah Goldie, Wearside and South Tyneside fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, explained how the carer service is helping the young Jarrow family.

She said: “Dad has a brain tumour, and the children attend our support groups every week and are prioritised for support in their school holidays.

“We have provided lots of support to their mother and escorted the children to visit their dad while he’s in a hospice.

“The children are also supported in school, the oldest child in secondary school seeing project staff at the regular drop-in session, and the 11-year-old receiving support at her primary school.”

The children’s mother, who is divorced from her husband, said: “It can be very difficult for the children to visit their dad, so the support through the project is ideal.”

Dawn Swales, human resources and training manager for Just Car Clinics, which has branches in Durham and Hartlepool, said: “Cancer has touched the lives of so many in our team in one way or another, and sadly, over the last few years, we have lost work colleagues and friends to cancer.”

Bridget Rodgers, a funding manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are extremely grateful for Just Car Clinics’ commitment and support, and are delighted with the use of a car to help support young carers in South Tyneside and raise awareness of Macmillan’s work in the local community.”

Anyone interested in volunteering their services for the scheme should contact Jane Mielniczek by e-mailing jmielniczek@macmillan.org.uk or calling 0791 230 8152.

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