More than 100 children suffering from cancer are to benefit from vital new support provided by a small charity at St George’s Hospital.

Children’s charity Momentum launched a long-term family support programme on Monday that will include emotional and practical support for families with children who suffer from cancer.

Momentum has helped more than 200 families and raised more than £300,000 for Kingston Hospital.

As part of the new support programme, families will be invited to specialist one-to-one sessions and coffee mornings with other parents, as well as outings and trips.

Holly Loveless, 15, had leukaemia diagnosed when she was just seven and then endured three years of gruelling chemotherapy treatment.

The majority of her treatment and care was at St George’s Hospital and she has now been given the all clear after five years of remission.

Holly’s mum, Fiona Loveless, said: “When Holly was having treatment, Momentum was like a lifeline, always on hand on a practical level if we needed something in hospital and, when we were back at home, there was the emotional support.

“It is wonderful news that the charity has launched its family support programme at St George’s Hospital.

“It will be a resource that so many families will find completely invaluable at a time when they need all the support they can get.”

Joanna Butter’s son, now eight, had leukaemia diagnosed when he was just three and since then he has had to endure years of treatment, blood tests and intensive chemotherapy.

Much of his treatment was at Kingston Hospital, where the charity was already working very closely with staff, parents and patients.

Mrs Butter, from Putney, said: “Momentum helped us by giving us the opportunity to spend quality family time together, creating special memories despite the traumatic and difficult time we were going through.

“They made the hospital seem a much less frightening place, providing treats to brighten up my son’s days. Momentum is a very special charity.”

Momentum’s initiative will also see the refurbishment of two isolation rooms, that are designed to make the young patients’ time in hospital more bearable, on the children’s oncology ward.

Momentum was established in 2004, set up by parents who had first-hand experience of such life-changing events.