Family raise £20,000 for Bristol teenagers cancer unit

The family of a teenager who lost his life to cancer have raised £20,000 to help create a special unit in Bristol for young people who are fighting the disease.

Scott Williams was treated at Bristol Children's Hospital after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 14 and when the cancer recurred at the age of 17.

The teenager, who lost his battle with the disease in May 2007, aged 18, was a keen horse rider and enjoyed off-roading and pursued his passions until he died.

His dad Steve, mum Carole and sister Jade, of Bitton, along with other family members and friends, have organised a host of events since his death, many reflecting Scott's hobbies, to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which is running a £1 million appeal to create dedicated facilities for older children and young adults in Bristol.

The charity today announced that a unit to be funded by the appeal will open in Bristol by spring 2011.

The specialist facilities within the Bristol Royal Infirmary complex will provide services for 13- to 24-year-olds.

It will be set up by the charity, working with University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UHBristol), which runs the site, and the South West Specialised Commissioning Group.

Scott was treated at Bristol Children's Hospital, but at the age of 17 a routine scan showed another tumour.

Mr Williams, 44, said: "A lot of the treatment was at the Children's Hospital and Scott kept signing himself out because he just wanted to get over it.

"It would definitely be better if there was somewhere more suitable for teenagers.

"The treatment was second to none but it would have been better if there was an environment for teenagers."

Mr Williams described his son as "very determined".

The former Sir Bernard Lovell pupil was interested in horses since he was young and when he could not ride because of the tumour he focused more on off-roading. Mr Williams, a company director, took on the off-roading after his son passed away and the family has continued to hold their annual events as well as riding events at the Hand Equestrian Centre, organised by Scott's aunt.

In May the Teenage Cancer Trust launched a £1m appeal to set up the unit with the help of comedian Bill Bailey, who grew up in Keynsham. Already £100,000 has been raised.

About 120 young people are treated for cancer across the South West each year, with many coming to Bristol for specialist care.

Currently care in the city would either be at the children's hospital or the Bristol Oncology Centre, but there is no provision for the specific needs of those in their teens and early 20s.

The Teenage Cancer Trust unit will include inpatient and outpatient care in an environment that meets the unique medical, psychological and social needs of young people with the disease.

The charity believes teenagers with cancer should not have to stop being teenagers so the facilities are set up to allow them to be themselves with computers or consoles, pool tables and Sky television.

Ian Barrington, divisional manager at UHBristol, said: "Every young person with cancer should have access to the specialist care and support that Teenage Cancer Trust provides. By working together we can make sure that young people in the South West who have cancer can have this opportunity."

Regional appeals manager for Teenage Cancer Trust in the South West, Heather Burns-Mace, said: "Teenage Cancer Trust has been working with UHBristol towards a sustainable solution for providing teenage and young adult facilities for some time. Today's announcement is a major step forward and we are looking forward to working with the community to raise the £1m needed to fund this facility."