Avid Romford gamer takes on 24 hour streaming challenge for young people with cancer

Laurence Britain 36, from Romford, will be streaming for 24 hours straight to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.  Throughout the 24-hour period, from 8am 28 August to 8am 29 August, Laurence will be joined by special guests, will take on various challenges and will be made to complete lots of forfeits too.

The avid gamer wanted to do something to raise money for charity after his nephew, Harry, was diagnosed with cancer at just eight years old. Young Lives vs Cancer has been there for Harry’s family every step of the way since his diagnosis so he decided to take on this jam-packed challenge to raise money for the charity.

Laurence will be kicking things off with a live workout wearing crazy outfits, encouraging viewers to get involved and dress up too (if they wish!). Other highlights of the stream include a pizza topping forfeit where Laurence will add wacky toppings to his pizza as and when fundraising milestones are achieved and later the live waxing of chests, armpits and leg hair [alongside another streamer and good friend of Laurence’s, Alex Ferreira] during ‘The Big Wax Off’.

Laurence’s nephew Harry can’t wait to tune in and watch his Uncle take on these challenges, all to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer. Following Harry’s diagnosis, the charity provided financial support to cover the daily cost of travel to and from hospital for his treatment. They also helped his family access grants to buy Harry new clothes as his body was changing so dramatically due to treatment and helped to arrange a tutor to make sure Harry didn’t fall behind at school whilst on treatment.

Laurence said: “I ran my first fundraiser for Young Lives vs Cancer last August to mark Harry completing treatment and to thank them for everything they did to support him over the 3 years he was having chemotherapy. One of the things that really resonated with me last year were the stories that viewers sent me about their experience of childhood cancer and mainly, the sheer number of them. So many people seemed to have encountered cancer either directly or otherwise, and it really reaffirmed the important work that Young Lives vs Cancer does.

“This year, we’re aiming for bigger, better and crazier, both in terms of challenges and forfeits, as well as setting an eye-watering target of £2,200 to beat last years’ total raised. I really hope that we’re able to enable other children and young people to benefit from the support that Young Lives vs Cancer offers and can’t wait to get started with the chaos that we have planned!”

Last year in London, Young Lives vs Cancer helped 933 families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them. The charity gave out 646 financial grants to the value of £133,290 to help families cope with the costs of travel to and from hospital, as well as parking and petrol. The Cancer Costs report from the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spend an extra £600 a month.

Becky Clements, Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Engagement Manager for London, said: “We can’t thank Laurence enough for all of the time and planning that has gone into hosting this brilliant event. Streaming is such an exciting way to raise awareness and fundraise to help reach so many people worldwide.

“We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so I want to say a massive thank you to Laurence because all of the money raised through his 24 hour stream will make such a massive difference to young people with cancer by helping us ensure they are getting the right support they need.”

Assuming that they hit their target of raising £2,200, Laurence has also arranged to go under the needle and have the children’s cancer awareness ribbon tattooed on his arm live on a future stream. Paige and Alan at Black Diamond Tattoo, also in Romford, have kindly donated this tattoo completely free of charge to further support the fundraising effort and, aside from showing them a reference image, Laurence has no idea what this tattoo will look like as it’ll be designed as they go.

To sponsor Laurence’s 24 hour stream, go to https://www.twitch.tv/drunkyttv  from 8:00am on 28 August to donate, or just to join in the fun! For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer’s work go to www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk