MP teams up with charity to help terminally ill children in south Manchester

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Dec 2008

MP teams up with charity to help terminally ill children in south Manchester

John Leech is teaming up with React to help terminally ill children in Manchester

John Leech MP has joined charity React in its efforts to assist children with potentially life-limiting conditions in south Manchester.

Last year, React (Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with potentially Terminal illness) responded to requests from 1,232 families caring for a terminally-ill child but there are many more children living in Manchester who need help. Working closely with medical and social care professionals, the charity can provide any specialist, domestic or educational equipment which is considered to be a 'basic, essential need'.

Last week, John Leech, MP for Withington, joined staff and volunteers at the House of Commons to hear about React's projects and look at ways to further their work in south Manchester.

John Leech says: "It is increasingly important for children born with life-limiting illnesses to be given support when families cannot afford the care and essential items required. Everyone can help make a difference - from a single person to a large corporation, so really hope that people will find the time to get involved with react, which gives depth to children with short lives."

With the help of John Leech, React hopes to engage the community in both fund and awareness raising activities, ensuring that all the children in south Manchester who need React's help have access to their services.

Vicky Andreas, Director of Client Services at React, says:

"We're delighted to have John Leech's support in our quest to improve the lives of terminally-ill children. Families caring for children living with a life-limiting illness are often not given the necessary assistance they require and community support is vital in helping us to change this."

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Notes to editors:

1. To find out more about React and how they can help in their community, people can visit www.reactcharity.org or contact them via e-mail: react@reactcharity.org or tel: 0208 940 2575