FAMILIES involved with cancer charity CALM in the last 30 years have come together to celebrate at a special reunion birthday party.

The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement – a parent-led support network – was established 30 years ago, and last week more than 175 people who have been involved in the charity reunited to mark the anniversary.

Not only families and children undergoing treatment for cancer or leukaemia but also founder members from 1984 enjoyed the party at the De Vere Village Hotel, in Shaw Ridge, on October 11.

A magic show for the children was put on by Magical Timmy, Charlie-Anne Bradfield and Dan Waldron provided live music with the band Phases, and there was a disco from Top Hat.

Chairman Richard Crowley said: “It was wonderful to have so many CALM families together to celebrate the charity reaching this milestone. The children loved the magic show, and the parents enjoyed catching up with each other and exchanging stories.”

A highlight was the enormous cake, featuring the CALM tortoise, and 200 cupcakes donated by Free Cakes for Kids Newbury.

The evening also managed to raise £2,000 for the charity in the grand prize draw, even though it was not planned as a fundraiser.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, a CALM patron, opened the event and said: “CALM is a great example of people in the community working together to help local parents and their children.”

The charity has supported hundreds of families in and around Swindon, and founding trustee Paul Cowan says it is more relevant then ever.

The 69-year-old, whose son Daniel recovered from the disease, said: “We set up CALM because otherwise parents cannot get a layman’s view of what it’s like to have a child who is so severely ill.

“Support for the families of children going through these kinds of illnesses is so very important, which is why I am so passionate about the organisation.”

To find out more, call 01793 813025, email Info@calmcharity.org or visit www.calmcharity.org.