A local charity is asking businesses to GOGOLD for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.

Julie Kent MBE, founder of Emily's Gift, is looking for businesses in Gloucestershire to light up their buildings, have a GOGOLD dressing up day dressing or dress their shop windows in yellow or gold.

She hopes they might also raise a few pounds along the way, to help fund a psychologist for the 37 children in Gloucestershire who currently have cancer.

Julie started Emily's Gift earlier this year, when she realised that the other six children's cancer units in the South West provide psychological support for children receiving cancer treatment, but Gloucestershire doesn't. This is despite guidance from NICE in 2005 which stated that all children undergoing cancer treatment should have psychological support.

Julie's mission is to raise £500,000 to fund a psychologist for the Emily Kent Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for 10 years. The unit was named after Julie's daughter, who died at the age of 3 from a brain tumour.

So far, local businesses and individuals have raised £260,000 towards the target.

The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham, Cheltenham Town Hall and Gloucester Brewery are some of the businesses which have already committed to lighting up yellow or gold for two weekends in September.

John Lewis, Leonardo Hotel and Elijahwillow Construction are among the businesses which have pledged to dress their windows or workplaces.

Gloucester City Kings Basketball team will have their first match against the Americans on September 3 at Leisure@Cheltenham, with their new gold strip with Emily's Gift logo on the front to show their support.

Julie Kent MBE said: "September is such an important month to raise awareness of children with cancer. It is hard enough being told as an adult that you have cancer, but to be told your child has cancer is indescribable.

"It would be great for Gloucestershire to GOGOLD in any way possible for a day, week, weekend or the month to show support for those families coping with a child with cancer here in Gloucestershire."

Dr Chrissie Parfitt, paediatric oncologist on the Emily Kent Unit, said: "Psychological support is an integral part of care for children and their families being treated for cancer, as receiving a diagnosis of cancer and navigating the treatment pathway can be emotionally distressing for the entire family."

To get involved please contact Julie Kent at emilysgift@piedpiperappeal.co.uk or on LinkedIn or social media.