LoveOliver charity founders honoured by Theresa May

Jennifer and Andy Gill founded the LoveOliver charity in memory of the son they lost when he was just 24 weeks old. The charity funds research into childhood cancers and supports families with poorly children. Despite having no previous experience of fundraising, the couple have baked, fun-run and skydived their way to raise over £360,000 which is funding vital research at Newcastle University and provides every child being treated for cancer in Edinburgh and Glasgow with a £50 Sainsbury’s voucher to cover food costs.

Jennifer and Andy are the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Jennifer and Andy, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “LoveOliver, the charity you set up in memory of the son you tragically lost, is funding important research into childhood cancers at Newcastle University and doing so much to support families with poorly children.”

Jennifer and Andy are the 588th and 589th winners of the Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA and was first established by President George H. W. Bush.

Jennifer and Andy said: “We are delighted to receive this award and it means so much to us to see LoveOliver being recognised in this way. Our beautiful boy’s inspirational life and legacy give us daily motivation to do all we can to help fund much needed research into childhood cancer and to provide invaluable practical support to families affected by it.

“We are very grateful to everyone who makes the work of LoveOliver possible and are really proud of what the charity has become. We are honoured for LoveOliver to be seen as a Point of Light in the darkness of childhood cancer.”