A charity which offers holidays to children with leukaemia has launched a new venture to be there for families from day one of diagnosis.

The Milly Moo Right Now Foundation has delivered survival kits to Medway hospital and the Royal Marsden in London.

There are boxes for adults, containing essentials such as a toothbrush, shampoo and packets of instant soup, as well as boxes for children with toys, puzzles, and colouring books.

The boxes also contain items such as a scrap book so parents can record precious memories and a notebook so they can jot down questions they have for the doctors.

The kits were inspired by mum Stacie Murray, who contacted Milly Moo last December when her son Callum was diagnosed.

She said: “On December 23 I left my house to nip Callum to the doctor quickly, in a scruffy tracksuit, and hadn’t even brushed my hair. I didn’t return for nearly three weeks.”

Chattenden mum Donna Reeve, who founded Milly Moo with husband Jon after the death of their daughter Amelia, said: “The message from Stacie made me think what else we could do to help families.

"It made me think back to when Milly was diagnosed and what could have helped us. It was a rush, we didn’t have anything with us when we were transferred by ambulance to London.

“When your child is in that situation, the last thing you want to do is leave their bedside. The survival kits mean parents will have those small things to hand that will make such a difference.”