A YOUNG cancer patient from Chippenham has helped design a bag to raise vital funds for the charity that supported her and her family through her treatment.

Amber Haney worked on the striking artwork for the CLIC Sargent canvas bag, launched at Morrisons stores across the country on Monday last week to mark World Cancer Day.

An initial 50,000 bags went on sale for £3 each, with a 20 per cent donation per bag going to CLIC Sargent. Amber, 15, and two other teenage cancer patients - Sam Brown from York and Enna Stephens from Redcar - were invited to a design day at Morrisons’ head office in Bradford. Design elements they created were combined in the final artwork on the environmentally-friendly jute and cotton bags.

Amber was supported by CLIC Sargent after being diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of cancer behind the nose and sinus, on her 13th birthday. After treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medication she is now stable.

Mum Su said: “Amber created an Indian henna mandala design which has been used on the side of the bag. When she was in hospital she used to do henna designs on herself. She spent such a long time lying in bed in hospital and henna was one of the things she could do without getting too exhausted. During all her treatment Amber was amazing. The only thing she got upset about was losing her hair. She didn’t moan at all. She’s a very determined girl.”

Su praised the support the family had received from CLIC Sargent: "The CLIC Sargent social worker Diane was absolutely amazing. She helped us with everything, arranging for us to get a CLIC Sargent grant and applying for benefits. I had to stop working and she helped us with every form you can think of.

“When your child is diagnosed with cancer your brain goes into limp mode. Diane gave us lots of advice and help. We would have really struggled so much without her. Once you get home it’s very, very scary not to have the hospital staff around you. If your child’s temperature is a bit off, or you think they look a funny colour, you really worry. We had support from three CLIC Sargent nurses who would come to our home and check Amber’s blood. We could talk to them about anything we were worried about.”

Andy Atkinson, Group Marketing Director at Morrisons said: “Amber, Enna and Sam have come up with a really imaginative design for the bag and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to encourage their artistic talents. We’re sure that customers will love it and that it will raise lots of money to support CLIC Sargent’s vital work.”