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The Richie Keefe Life and Soul Trust supports families affected financially by cancer in Bournemouth and Poole through grants - confidentially and on a case by case basis.

It is our mission to provide a better quality of life for low income families who have lost the main breadwinner to cancer, to support bereavement counselling and to aid the work of cancer support services locally.

We are committed to improving the quality of life for cancer sufferers and their families and also to dedicating funds to provide support for two relief charities close to our hearts, Mosaic and About Face.

Mosaic
Mosaic is a Dorset wide charity supporting bereaved children, young people and their families. Research shows that grief affects children physically, psychologically and behaviourally and that bereaved children are often the victim of bullying.

Prior to the formation of Mosaic in 2007, support for bereaved children was extremely limited. Whilst local hospice care recognises the need for family support pre and post death, these services do not usually extend to causes of death other than cancer related illness. Mosaic offers appropriate interventions regardless of the cause of death, offering individual, family and group support.

We are proud therefore to have supported and funded Mosaic's first Family Activity Day at Brenscombe Outdoor Centre.

Activity Days and Residential weekends are always very beneficial for families who have suffered a loss as it gives them a chance to meet others and share experiences. This helps them to feel less isolated and often friendships are formed by both the children and adults.

Since its launch, Mosaic has worked with 80 children and a residential support programme is in place for 2009.
info@mosaicfamilysupport.org

About Face
A new centre for patients with facial cancers similar to the one Richie Keefe was diagnosed with has benefitted from a £15,000 donation from the Trust to the About Face Centre in Poole.

The About Face charity was set up twelve years ago by one of the founding trustees, Mr Ilankovan, the Maxillofacial Consultant who carried out pioneering surgery on Richie Keefe, provides care, medical and research facilities in support of those suffering from cancer and disfigurement of the head and neck, including oral cancer and mouth cancer, in the Dorset and Hampshire area.

The new centre, across the road from Poole Hospital in Longfleet Road, Poole was bought by the charity in November 2007 after three years of fundraising.

It is used to offer support and information for patients with maxillofacial cancers as well as counselling. Facilities include a library and study room, short-term accommodation and a surgical practice suite for use by trainee surgeons working alongside Mr Ilankovan and his staff.
www.about-face.info/