St Paul's bells toll for children lost to cancer

St Paul's Cathedral will toll its bells to commemorate the 253 children who die from cancer annually in the UK. The event features an artwork trail of butterfly sculptures on Millennium Bridge, symbolizing the young lives lost. This tribute supports Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity's Build it. Beat it. Appeal, aiming to raise £300 million for a new children's cancer center by 2028.

The center will include specialized facilities such as a chemotherapy pharmacy and a hospital school. Liz Tait, director of fundraising at GOSH Charity, remarked that the bell ringing serves as a powerful symbol of hope for bereaved families. Currently, cancer treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital occurs in outdated buildings, complicating care for seriously ill patients. Great Tom, the largest bell, will ring from 08:30, marking the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Reverend Philip Banks highlighted the significance of the bell tolling in remembrance and reflection for grieving families.