Kristie helps to launch Tesco charity partnership

Tesco launched the partnership because they know what a difference 5m could make.

Kristie (12) from Ballynahinch is having treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Kristie's mum, Anthea McGready, knows first hand the importance of having a specialist nurse.

"Kristie is in remission now and is feeling much better," said Anthea. "We give her maintenance chemotherapy every night at home, once a month she has to go to the Royal Belfast Hospital for chemotherapy through her central line, and every three months she will need to have chemotherapy through her spinal chord.

"This is so much better than when she was having intensive chemotherapy because we were driving up to the hospital all the time. Just before Christmas I think we were up there 17 days in a row.

"We've had some proper nursing care at home which we have found really helpful, but in a situation like ours you can never receive enough help or support and a CLIC Sargent nurse would have been amazing."

The event kicked off a year of fundraising in Tesco stores, offices and distribution centres across the UK which aims to raise 5 million to fund specialist children's cancer nurses so that more children like Kristie can spend more time at home and less time in hospital.

Donations will be made to the charity from the sale of certain products in store, while a contribution will be made every time a cash machine is used at Tesco. CLIC Sargent will also be holding a national collection outside Tesco stores later in the year.