A CHARITY is facing closure unless it gets immediate financial support.

The Robin Cancer Trust has suffered a devastating loss of income due to Covid-19 losing 95 per cent of its income due to cancelled events, charity partnerships and fundraising opportunities.

The trust was founded by the Freeman family in 2012 following the tragic death of son and brother Robin Freeman, aged just 24, from a late-stage cancer diagnosis.

As the UK’s leading germ cell cancer charity, the trust has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, deliver educational talks and support individuals and families affected by this rare form of cancer which includes both testicular and ovarian cancers.

Based in Colchester, the charity has reached 12 million people online, engaged with more than 175,000 men and women in the community and delivered life-saving educational talks to more than 25,000 young adults in schools, colleges and businesses.

During lockdown, GPs have seen a 75 per cent fall in urgent cancer referrals.

Gazette:

  • Toby Freeman, from Colchester

Toby Freeman, Robin’s brother and the charity’s founder and chief executive officer, said: “People are going to die because they are avoiding going to the doctors.

“I know what happens when a young person ignores symptoms: it breaks my heart to think of another family having to go through what we did.

“Our work is needed now more than ever. Our awareness campaigns, our educational programmes and our support services, they save lives.

“I hate asking for money but I hate cancer more. We need your support now more than ever, please donate to help us save lives.”

The Government bailout of £750 million to charities has been unable to fill the £12 billion-pound funding gap in the sector.

Small charities are most at risk and are feeling the strain of the impact Covid-19 has had on their income with one in ten small charities expected to close within the year.

The trust says £10 could fund an online awareness campaign while £25 could directly educate 200 students on the signs and symptoms of germ cell cancer.

Donations can be via www.therobincancertrust.org/donate or by cheque, payable to The Robin Cancer Trust and sent to 29 Queens Road, Wivenhoe, Essex, CO7 9JJ.