A group of eight daily newspapers have launched a Christmas appeal aimed at supporting young people battling cancer.

National World’s city daily print titles have launched a campaign in support of the charity Young Lives Vs Cancer, with editorial pieces about its work to be published every day in December.

The charity, previously known as Clic Sargent, gives much-needed specialist support to children, young people and their families undergoing cancer treatment.

Titles taking part in the appeal are the Edinburgh Evening News, Portsmouth News, Lancashire Post, Blackpool Gazette, Shields Gazette, Sunderland Echo, Sheffield Star and Yorkshire Evening Post.

The group hopes both to raise cash and promote awareness of the charity’s Home from Home scheme which provides accommodation when families have to travel for cancer treatment.

National World’s Daily Press Division publisher Tim Robinson first became aware of Young Lives Vs Cancer when hosting last month’s Best of Northumberland Awards which raised £3,721 for the charity from raffles and donations.

Said Tim: “One of the fundraisers explained to me how rates of childhood cancer are actually increasing and how the charity is increasingly needed by families to provide places to stay when they are having treatment.

“We all thought this would make an excellent campaign for Christmas, a time when everyone thinks about others.

“Cancer touches everyone’s lives and there will be many families in all of our markets who have been affected by the issue of childhood cancer.”

More details of how to support the appeal can be found at www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/help