Lockhart presses Government to support childhood cancer families

Carla Lockhart MP • March 21, 2023

DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart has raised the plight of families impacted by a diagnosis of childhood cancer with the Leader of the House of Commons, Rt. Hon. Penny Mourdant MP, in Westminster.

Speaking during a statement by the Leader of the House on Thursday, Carla Lockhart said:

“A little boy, a wee warrior called Adam Watson, from my constituency, will be forever nine years old, having lost his fiercely fought battle with leukaemia just last August.

His mum and dad, Sara and David Watson, amid their deep sense of grief, are campaigning to improve wraparound services for children who have been diagnosed with that dreaded disease, cancer, and their families.

One change Sara and David are particularly interested in is having a payment or support package made available to parents because of the need to attend appointments and support their children through their diagnosis. Will the Leader of the House agree to raise this issue with the relevant Department? Will she also encourage the Secretary of State to meet Sara and David, who will be visiting this place in the coming weeks?”

Carla Lockhart added:

“The Leader of the House has committed to ensuring Ministers are available to meet with David and Sara, and this is most welcome.

It is vital that families who face the emotional turmoil of such a diagnosis are given all necessary support to meet the added pressures that accompany a diagnosis. This will be the agenda when David and Sara visit Westminster and I am only too happy to help open doors and work with them to make this case.”

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