Christmas appeal: Bristol mum diagnosed with brain tumour calls on local people to raise money for 'amazing' initiative

A Bristol mum who relies on her children to help care for her after being diagnosed with a brain tumour is calling on local people to help raise money for an “amazing” programme that supports families like hers.

Jenny fell ill in 2022 and last year had a stroke, after which she had her driving licence taken away leaving her family struggling to get around.

The mum-of-four, who lives in South Bristol, says since becoming poorly her children have been unable to go to clubs and struggle some days to get to school because of the “rubbish” bus service where they live.

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The situation for Jenny’s family was pretty bleak when she heard about a Bristol organisation called Community of Purpose offering help. Its programme - Break Free - combats holiday hunger for children on free school meals and provides activities to keep them off the streets.

Jenny’s sons Sean (14) and Toby (12), who were recently named winners at Bristol’s Young Heroes Awards, both attend during the holidays. The pair have taken part in activities such as trips to We the Curious and St Werburgh’s City Farm through the initiative. They also recently went to Bordeaux in France on a football trip after winning their caring award.

“Break Free is very, very important, not just for me, but for other parents who work or single parents. They go to wonderful places and I couldn’t afford for all of us to do those things. There are all these kids from different backgrounds but they have fun and it’s like a second family. I can’t get across how much it means. They get to experience life and make memories.”

Jenny says it would be “world war three” in her house if the programme didn’t exist. “We just wouldn’t do what we do. It’s amazing and they are not on the street or making trouble,” she said.

“[Sean and Toby] come home from school and they have to help with tea and their younger two siblings, they help with cooking and cleaning, and they help with me. They are really another two adults and I couldn’t survive without them. Break Free gives them a break.”

Since launching in 2016, the scheme has helped thousands of families in Bristol during the holidays. Last year alone, Break Free supported 1,113 young people in the city.

Last month, Bristol Live launched its Christmas appeal to raise funds for the programme. In the run-up to the festive season, we are aiming to raise £25,000 to support Break Free. But we need the help of big-hearted readers, as well as the city's business community, to make sure as many children as possible experience the magic of Christmas.

The money donated will go towards a special Christmas meal and providing extra support to tackle holiday hunger this winter for up to 1,000 children aged between six and 16.

A single payment of £25 will pay for a young person to take part in an activity, receive breakfast and a two-course festive lunch, and a care package and Christmas supplies to take home.

To find out more about how you can support the Break Free programme and help raise £25,000 by Christmas, click HERE.