Jake and Harriet Humphrey named Vice Presidents of CLIC Sargent

Jake and Harriet Humphrey have been appointed Vice Presidents of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer, after dedicating years of vital support and raising more than £1.6 million for the charity.

The popular BT Sport Premier League presenter brings years of experience and dedication to the role alongside his wife Harriet. Since 2014, the couple have spent time with families at the charity’s Homes from Home, helped to lobby the government to get families access to vital services and they have been instrumental in winning a multi-million–pound partnership for the charity. 

Jake’s commitment to the charity has also seen him putting his broadcasting skills to good use by doing live broadcasts alongside children with cancer in the most unusual of places to raise awareness of the charity – from the steps of 10 Downing Street to a supermarket shopfloor! 

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Harriet Humphrey has been instrumental in raising over £1.6m through her incredible efforts by organising star–studded fundraising events.

Last year, a celebrity gala dinner A Very British Affair, chaired by Harriet and fellow Vice President Lucy Butcher and hosted by Jake and TV presenter Christine Lampard, raised more than £280,000 for the charity. Jake also helped present a 13,000 signature-strong petition to Downing Street alongside young people supported by CLIC Sargent and their families, calling for greater financial support for young cancer patients. 

The new, three–year appointment will recognise the incredible commitment of the couple and formally establish their voluntary roles as part of the CLIC Sargent family, supporting their fundraising efforts and sharing its vision to enable CLIC Sargent to help children and young people diagnosed with cancer, and their families. 

Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health by providing specialist financial, emotional and practical support. 

Jake said: “Childhood cancer is a fight that we must all join. Harriet and I have both been moved to see first-hand the vital difference that CLIC Sargent can make to a family who have been given the worst possible news. 

“From huge things, such as a place to stay near their ill child to simple gestures like money to be able to travel to wherever someone’s child is being treated, CLIC Sargent does amazing work, but currently can’t help everyone. I want to help the wonderful people at CLIC Sargent reach even more young people and their families. 

“Harriet and I are incredibly honoured to be offered a CLIC Sargent Vice Presidency role. In fact, we feel we don’t deserve such recognition when you see real CLIC Sargent Heroes at work every day! And that is what this means – that we will simply continue to help CLIC Sargent to continue its vital work.” 

Harriet said: “I am so honoured to be a Vice President of CLIC Sargent. In a post Covid world, the work of CLIC Sargent is needed more than ever, and we want to help them to have that vital impact for as many families as possible.  

“Accepting a role like this, however, isn’t about what it means for me, it’s about what it means for CLIC Sargent. It means that Jake and I will continue to build on the fundraising we have achieved in the past four years, it means that we will do all we can to be a loud, clear, positive, encouraging voice for a small charity doing vital work every single day.” 

Jake is also an Appeal Patron for the charity’s There’s No Place Like Home Appeal, a fundraising appeal to enhance the charity’s Home from Home services across the UK. As part of this project, the couple helped to raise money for a renovation project at Paul’s House in London. This Home from Home is a stone’s throw away from University College London Hospital (UCLH), where families stay close by while their child is on treatment.  

Their wealth of support has extended to being ambassadors for the charity, interviewing and spending time with families and children living with cancer, sharing campaigns and raising vital awareness of CLIC Sargent.  

This announcement comes at a time when families need CLIC Sargent’s support more than ever. CLIC Sargent social workers have been supporting anxious families throughout the pandemic as they worry about their child’s risk of infection, separation due to isolation rules, struggles with finances or practically how to get to their child’s bedside in hospital. This increased need for CLIC Sargent’s vital services is set against a worrying picture for the charity, which relies 100% on voluntary donations and is facing a 60% drop in income from donations.  

Throughout this time, Jake and Harriet have been helping wherever possible to generate much-needed support for CLIC Sargent. The whole family took part in this year’s virtual 2.6 Challenge, by canoeing 2.6miles to raise money. Jake also lent his voice to the charity’s emergency television advert and has been posting regularly on his social media channels to raise awareness. 

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive Officer at CLIC Sargent, said: “We are so grateful to Jake and Harriet for their years of support and incredible fundraising efforts for CLIC Sargent. We are so excited to take their role at CLIC Sargent to a whole new level by naming them both Vice Presidents.  

“Covid-19 hit the charity hard financially and put our vital services for children with cancer at risk. Having Jake and Harriet as part of Team CLIC Sargent as we recover and try to build back from this year is so important. 

“We want to thank both Jake and Harriet for all their work and dedication and for truly being an integral part of CLIC Sargent. Their breadth of experience we know will be a huge asset to the charity and we’re excited to see what the future holds for their new role.” 

ENDS   

Notes to editors  

For more information, an interview or images, please contact Emma Gibbons on 07932 666163 or emma.gibbons@younglivesvscancer.org.uk 

About cancer in children and young people  

Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.  

About CLIC Sargent  

When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk  

Note to sub editors  

Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.