YOUNGSTERS with cancer across the UK will now have a place to relax and be themselves while undergoing treatment, thanks to a Colchester charity.

The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation has handed out thousands of pounds to support the creation of a Young Adult Living Room and two inpatient rooms.

The living room area is at T13, a ward for 19 to 25-year olds, at University College London Hospital and the two inpatient rooms are at Mount Vernon at East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals.

The foundation spent £35,000 in donations for the room at T13 in London, in the hospital where Tom Bowdidge received his treatment.

A further £18,000 went towards the Hertfordshire room.

In 2017, charity previously also donated £50,000 to the Colchester Cancer Campaign appeal, which will be used to buy a two-chair chemotherapy bay for teenage cancer patients when it is built.

Tom's mum Nikki, chief executive and Founder of the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, said: “The teenage unit at UCLH was fantastic for Tom but what bothered him most was that when he turned 19 he would be moved to T13 where there were no facilities for young people.

“Tom was conscious that there wasn’t anywhere he and his friends could simply get out of their room, go and be themselves.

“Hopefully, this new room will do exactly that for young adults at UCLH and teenagers and young adults in Hertfordshire. We are delighted that thanks to out fantastic supporters we have helped another of Tom’s aims become reality.

“We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s donations, thank you.”

The rooms will be a safe place for youngsters to come together, relax, watch a film, play games and make a hot drink.

It is hoped they will help reduce isolation and loneliness too.

Nikki and husband Richard were there to watch all three rooms be officially opened to patients.

Nikki added: “It was lovely to see them in person and to see exactly how the donations will help these youngsters.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Tom and look forward to helping many more young people with cancer.”

Tom was just 18 when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.

In April 2013, he decided he wanted to start his own charity to support teenage cancer patients.

Tom, 19, died on Friday, October 18, 2013, and left strict instructions for everyone to “crack on”.

On February 28, 2014, Tom’s 20th birthday, parents Nikki and Richard set up The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation to continue to carry on the work he started when he was diagnosed.