The work of a charity that supports children facing cancer and their families is even more crucial as the festive season approach.

Throughout the year, Calums Cabin helps families spend quality time together at holiday homes and provides flats to live in while children are enduring cancer treatment.

At Christmastime, their work amplifies with the organisation supporting hundreds of children with presents - a pledge that The Glasgow Times has committed to provide for.

Click here to help us with our Toy Bank Appeal.

Caroline Speirs, chairperson of Calums Cabin, said: "We had a family last year whose two-year-old boy was diagnosed with leukaemia in October.

"They moved into one of our Glasgow flats and together with his wee sister and two elder sisters, the family was all together for Christmas there.

"Even though their son had just been diagnosed with leukaemia, his mum and dad describe last Christmas as their best Christmas ever.

"It's really humbling and sad at the same time. Their son has a life-threatening disease but they still called it their best Christmas."

Glasgow Times: Duncan, Jenna and Caroline Speirs at the Glasgow Kiltwalk 2023.Duncan, Jenna and Caroline Speirs at the Glasgow Kiltwalk 2023. (Image: Calum's Cabin)

With the help of our readers, the Glasgow Times is fundraising with the goal of helping Calums Cabin gift 500 presents to those in need.

Caroline said: "The support of any readers would be absolutely phenomenal.

"Every oncology ward or day care centre that helps children is supported with Christmas presents from Calums Cabin.

"On average, we need to find around 500 presents for children anywhere from birth up to age 21.

"Sadly some babies are diagnosed with cancer when they are born."

Calums Cabin is named in honour of Caroline's son, Calum Speirs, who died on February 16, 2007 from an inoperable brain tumour.

Along with her husband Duncan and Calum's twin sister Jenna, the family established the charity to fulfil Calum's dream of offering family holidays to children like him.

Caroline said: “On the Monday Calum was fine and by the Thursday we were in the Southern General being told our 11-year-old son and Jenna’s twin brother had an inoperable brain tumour.

“There was no warning, there was nothing.

“Calums Cabin was Calum’s idea. He had spent days and hours in hospitals and waiting rooms.

"And he realised that not everybody had the same happy memories that our family had, Duncan and I, Calum and Jenna.

“Calum thought it would be a good idea if we had a holiday property on Bute where we stay, for families to come and make special memories.

“Our first fundraising event was at Calum’s Service - the rest is history.”

Now, Calums Cabin has nine Glasgow flats for families to stay in while a child is being treated in the city and holiday homes located on the Isle of Bute, at Dumfries House in Ayrshire and Anstruther.

Glasgow Times:

A spokesperson for the charity said: "All of our work at Calums Cabin is only possible through the generosity of our supporters and volunteers which enables us to help families all across the country. 

"Awareness raising is paramount for us. We still do not know if there are families and children that we are missing.

"At Calums Cabin we believe no child suffering from cancer, or a cancer-related illness should miss out on the chance to holiday with their loved ones."

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