Childhood cancer research
& practical support for families
We're LoveOliver!
At just a few days old, Andy and Jennifer's first son, Oliver, was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer - a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumour. Despite continuing to thrive and smile his way through intensive chemotherapy, he passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day 2010, aged just 24 weeks old.
In 2011, Andy and Jennifer Gill started LoveOliver...
Vision
A country in which every family with a child diagnosed with cancer knows there is hope of a cure and that they will have appropriate financial support on their cancer journey.
Mission
LoveOliver is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and their families in Scotland diagnosed with cancer through provision of appropriate financial and practical support, and the development of new treatments through research.
Values
LoveOliver is committed to raising awareness of childhood cancer and its impact on families, to encourage volunteering and fundraising to be able to help them, and to bring about a brighter future for childhood cancer treatment and prognosis.
Research and Support
LoveOliver funds research into childhood cancer and provides practical support to families in Scotland affected by it, in memory of baby Oliver Gill.
Since starting in 2011 LoveOliver has funded two four year PhD studentships at Newcastle University. As of 1st July 2021, LoveOliver is funding a full time Technician post at Newcastle University. LoveOliver has also committed £100 000 to funding a three year research project in collaboration with the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.
LoveOliver provides invaluable practical support to every family in Scotland with a child diagnosed with cancer. LoveOliver works closely with the Young Live vs Cancer Social workers to provide supermarket vouchers and financial grants for all families, healthy frozen meals for parents of children going through long inpatient stays and quality digital thermometers for each family facing childhood cancer.
LoveOliver also donates patterned Ng tube tapes, Just Eat vouchers, games, books, toys, crafts and therapy supplies, when requested, to Scotland's children's oncology wards.
LoveOliver runs a drop-in hub, exclusively for oncology families at The Howat Hub, just a short walk from the new Edinburgh children's hospital, and runs a large children's charity shop in The Kingdom Shopping Centre in Glenrothes, Fife.
Our Awards
We're proud to have received the following awards:
Kingdom FM Local Hero Awards
Fundraiser of the Year, 2012
The Sunday Post Broons Awards
Inspirational Family, 2016
Edinburgh Evening News
Fundraiser of the Year, 2016
Point of Light Award from the Prime Minister
18th October 2016
Fife Voluntary Action
Inspirational Volunteer Award 2017
Kingdom FM Local Hero Awards
Fundraiser of the Year, 2017
Charity Champions
Children's Charity of the Year, 2017
British Citizen Award for Services to Volunteering awarded to Jennifer Gill in January 2018
Daily Record Scotland's Champions Awards
Making a Difference, September 2021
The Team
The LoveOliver trustees are Dr Mark Brougham, Sarah Carter, Andy Gill, Professor Margaret Gill, Jennifer Lucas LLB DPLP, Kate MacDonald and Gregor MacKenzie.
Our employees are -
Jennifer Gill - F/T charity and shop manager
Trisha Johnstone - P/T charity assistant manager
Christine Donnachie - P/T drop-in cafe co-ordinator
Anne McLean - P/T shop assistant manager
Amy Giles - P/T shop supervisor
LoveOliver also has a large team of amazing volunteers and supporters!
Andy and Jennifer, along with one of the LoveOliver trustees and many supporters have been parents to children with cancer - together they have great insight into what helps and how LoveOliver's funds will be best spent. Money is always spent wisely and thoughtfully.
Making a Difference
Heather Wilson, Edinburgh Clic Sargent Social Worker, has given a glimpse into the help we provide:
"Today again I got to see the difference that LoveOliver makes to children with cancer and their families...I got to deliver a gift bag and see it bring a smile to faces, brightening up those difficult days when treatment feels tough and long...I saw how a supermarket voucher is appreciated by parents as they worry about how they will cope with the additional costs that accompany a cancer diagnosis...and I saw the relief that a grant can bring - a cheque given for a specific need, that helps alleviate some of the financial pressure parents can face as they try to support their child through the most difficult of times.
I'm in a privileged position to see the difference your support makes..and I love that we get to work in partnership with you! Thank you LoveOliver, and LoveOliver supporters, for all that you do. For many families their child's cancer journey would be even more difficult without your support!….And I not only love what you do...I love how you make partnership working so easy..when we approach LoveOliver requesting support for a family you respond quickly, generously, sensitively, flexibly...and so the list could go on.
I love that you choose to work so closely with us even when it means we sometimes get to see more of how your help lights up faces and is appreciated more than you do! LoveOliver, you're an amazing team!”