Children who have completed treatment at Royal Preston Hospital will be able to celebrate the milestone by ringing a new ‘end of treatment’ bell.

The bell was donated by two families who wanted to give something back to the ward after their children were treated for serious conditions.

These bells have most recently been used to celebrate the end of cancer treatments; with one in place at the Rosemere Cancer Centre at Royal Preston Hospital too.

To commemorate the introduction of the bell, a small ceremony was held with staff from the children’s ward at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, and the Ilott and Melling families, who donated the bell.

It was unveiled as part of the promotions of the national Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Mum Sara said: “End of Treatment Bells” is a wonderful charity which was set up by parents Tracey and Phil Taylor, whose daughter Emma was also treated for cancer.

“When our son, Georg, rang the bell – he asked if he could ring it in Preston too.

“We enquired at the Rosemere Centre, to see if they would like a bell, but they already had one. So we thought, why not ask the Children’s Ward if they would like one?

“The ringing of the bell is evolving, and adults as well as children get to ring it to celebrate finishing other treatments, not just cancer treatment.

“They are becoming popular in Neonatal Units and other departments. The charity now uses the hashtag #celebratingmilestones.”

Dad Richard, who manages Hand of Brothers Animation Studio, said: “It seemed fitting to donate the bell during September, as it is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“The awareness ribbon for child cancer is gold and so fundraising with a gold theme is encouraged, or even buildings can join in by ‘glowing gold’.

“The Harris Museum is supporting this cause by lighting up gold again this year.”

Jo Connolly, Divisional Nursing Director for Children and Young People and Critical Care at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are extremely grateful to Sara and the family for their very kind donation to our children’s ward.

“Children can be on the ward for long periods of times or have multiple admissions with serious illnesses so for them to be able to celebrate going home in this way is something that will positively contribute to their experiences.”

What do you think about the new End of Treatment bell? Let us know in the comments section.