Give the gift of hope this Christmas and buy a Corry bear to support children with cancer

Children with Cancer UK has launched its festive appeal, Always By Your Side, to bring comfort and hope to children facing cancer. At the heart of the campaign is Corry the bear — a gift that gives twice: spreading joy to someone you love, while funding life-saving research and vital support for families during their darkest moments.

The campaign is led by three-year-old Ava, a brave little girl from Port Talbot, Wales, whose resilience embodies the spirit of hope this Christmas. At just one year old, Ava was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer. What began as a suspected case of hand, foot and mouth disease quickly escalated into a devastating diagnosis when her parents noticed unusual changes in her right eye. Within weeks, doctors discovered a large 22mm tumour that had likely been present since birth.

To save her life, Ava underwent surgery just before Christmas in 2023 to remove her right eye. The following day the family received the best possible news when tests confirmed she does not have the genetic form of retinoblastoma, meaning the cancer is unlikely to return.

Her journey, however, has been far from easy – six surgeries, more than 64 hospital appointments across five hospitals, 13 anaesthetics, one MRI, seven prosthetic eyes with three readjustments, two grafts, ongoing play therapy, countless antibiotics and steroids, and regular eye lubricants. Ava is also coping with post-traumatic stress following her operations, which has affected her sleep. Despite everything, Ava is doing incredibly well. Her unbreakable spirit shines through as she adjusts to life with one eye.

Ava’s trusted companion during recovery was Pip the Penguin, a special toy gifted by a community worker, complete with a removable eye, just like Ava’s. For Ava, Pip was a reminder she was never alone, a message of comfort and hope that lies at the heart of Children with Cancer UK’s Christmas Appeal. Just as Pip was always by Ava’s side, Corry the bear symbolises that same promise, offering children facing cancer a friend to hold onto during the toughest times.

This Christmas, Ava and her family are sharing their story to raise awareness and encourage support for other children facing a cancer diagnosis.

Ava’s mum, Victoria, said:

Christmas should be magical for every child. For families like ours, it’s often overshadowed by hospital visits and uncertainty. Supporting Children with Cancer UK means giving hope to children like Ava and helping them look forward to a future where they can grow up healthy and live life to the fullest.

Gavin Maggs, Chief Executive of Children with Cancer UK said: 

Every day, 10 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Tragically, two will not survive, and five will live with lifelong side effects from treatments never designed for young bodies. Our mission is to change that – to improve survival rates, reduce harmful impacts, and ultimately prevent childhood cancer altogether.

When you buy a Corry bear this Christmas, you’re doing more than giving a soft toy, you’re helping fund vital research and support for families at their most difficult time. Each bear represents hope and progress towards a future where every child not only survives cancer but thrives beyond it.

Corry is part of the charity’s Always By Your Side campaign, an educational animation film highlighting the emotional and physical challenges children face during treatment. The campaign aims to ensure that no child or family feels alone when facing childhood cancer.

Corry the bear is available online for £15. Every penny of profit from each sale goes directly to supporting Children with Cancer UK.