CLIC Cancer & Leukaemia in Childhood has joined together with Sargent Cancer Care for Children to become CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity.

The two charities have worked together for many years and share many values and ideals. By coming together, they will offer improved and additional services to children with cancer and their families across the UK, taking a more ‘holistic’ approach to service delivery and the provision of clinical, psycho-social, emotional and financial support.

Gordon Morrison, Chairman of Sargent Cancer Care since 2002 and Brigadier Hugh Pye, who has been Chairman of CLIC since 1996 have been appointed Joint Chairmen of the new charity. David Ellis, currently Chief Executive of CLIC, has been appointed Chief Executive.

Sargent’s Gordon Morrison said: “Bringing together Sargent and CLIC will improve the level of care and support to children with cancer – that is and will always remain our number one priority. Whilst we are not anticipating any major savings, we are looking to improve efficiency wherever possible whilst looking to achieve a significant growth in the spread and impact of our activities.”

Brigadier Hugh Pye of CLIC added: “A merger will enable us to deliver better services to children and their families. We see the merger as a positive response to calls from many families that a more “holistic service” to cancer care was required. Sargent care workers, CLIC nurses and play specialists have traditionally worked together in caring for children and we hope that the merger will help them in their delivery of quality services to more families.”

Although the merger has been authorised by the charities’ trustees and welcomed by the Charity Commission, a number of decisions regarding the merger still need to be made, including appointments to the senior management team. These and other decisions expect to be confirmed before Christmas, in advance of the charity’s public launch in the first quarter of 2005.

The charity will maintain a presence across the UK with offices in London, Bristol, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow, plus care homes in places such as Bristol, Oxford, Prestwick and Southampton.

David Ellis, Chief Executive said: “This geographical spread truly reflects the commitment of an organisation – a national charity, delivering local services. There is much work to be done to plan and fulfil our new future. But essentially over the coming months and as we bring the two organisations together, we need to keep our focus on providing excellent care and support to children, and ensure that our fundraising and service capabilities are as effective as possible.”

The fundraising activities of the two charities, including various fundraising activities and special events in support of December’s Child Cancer Awareness Month, will proceed as planned and for the foreseeable future. Legacy, gift aid and other donations for the two charities are not affected by the merger.