SCHOOLS and businesses across Dorset have pledged their support to CLIC Sargent this Christmas.

The charity is running its Christmas Countdown of fundraising events between December 1 and 24.

Weymouth College have got on board with the initiative and will be holding a Christmas jumper day for staff and students.

Other businesses to pledge their support include Scott Symes Wealth Management Ltd in Broadstone, which is hosting a Christmas coffee morning, Fernhill Hotel, which is holding a Christmas Fair and Amuzo which will hold their first Mince Pie Mingle.

All proceeds from the events will be donated to CLIC Sargent, which supports young people with cancer.

Last year CLIC Sargent supported 74 families across Dorset. Many Dorset families must travel to Southampton General Hospital where treatment starts immediately, and often lasts as long as three years.

CLIC Sargent funds a Home from Home in Southampton which provides free self-catering accommodation to Dorset families, allowing all of the family to stay together and stay close to their child in hospital. With new cancer treatments some Dorset families find themselves having to stay in Southampton for up to nine months at a time, some over the Christmas period.

When families return home to Dorset, CLIC Sargent has specialist nurses and social workers in the county who continue to support families throughout their child’s treatment.

Joy Morley, Fundraising Manager for Dorset, said: “I am so pleased that so many businesses and schools have pledged their support to CLIC Sargent this Christmas. Every day 10 children and young people hear the devastating news that they have cancer. CLIC Sargent provides practical, clinical, financial and emotional support for children and young people with cancer, and their families to ensure every child with cancer lives life to the full.”