We were thrilled to welcome hundreds of young cancer patients to our inaugural Haematology and Oncology Games this summer, supported by our charity, to demonstrate the benefits sport can have on health and recovery.

Our children and their families gathered at King Edward’s School in Edgbaston to try their hand at a range of activities including hockey, footgolf, canoeing, climbing, orienteering and boccia.

We also held a smaller session in the courtyard of Waterfall House at our Children’s Hospital for our oncology inpatients as well as those attending outpatient clinic. For many, it was their first chance to leave the ward in weeks and brought some much-needed distraction and fun.

Sport plays a vital role in the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of our patients and is essential to their ongoing care, rehabilitation and longterm health. However, patients and families often feel they’re not able to participate in these activities for many reasons, including the fear of fatigue and injury.

 The games helped to show them sports can be accessible and provided an idea of the resources available to them.