LARCC awarded €43,680 from RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC has been awarded €43,680 from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants for 2022 by the Community Foundation for Ireland.

The grant will fund an increase in one-to-one play therapy sessions offered at LARCC via their Children’s Support and Play Therapy service for children who have been affected by cancer – and so will help to change children’s lives.

Children use play as a form of communication – and some may be referred to play therapy if they cannot find the words to express how they are feeling.

In play therapy, children enter in to a dynamic relationship with a therapist that enables them to express, explore and make sense of their difficult and painful experiences.

• This specialised service is delivered by LARCC counsellors qualified in play therapy

• It is aimed at families in need of support because of a cancer diagnosis

• Sessions are on an appointment basis following an initial assessment visit

• Evening appointments can be made available for school-going children.

This grant aid will help LARCC add a new play therapist to their team and will fund an increase in one-to-one play therapy sessions offered at LARCC.

Bernie McHugh, manager at LARCC, said: “We are thrilled to be in receipt of this sizable RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grant for 2022 – it will be a game changer for LARCC, offering us to opportunity to add to our play therapy service team and offer more one-to-one play therapy sessions.

“It will also give us the opportunity to deliver Children’s Bereavement Support Groups and to offer family support sessions for family units that are struggling with the impact of cancer, offering them a space to talk and heal emotionally.”

The list of organisations that received grants is here.