Julie's Story
The Emily’s Gift campaign is a deeply personal and purpose-driven initiative to bring much-needed psychological support to children undergoing cancer treatment at Gloucester Royal Hospital’s Emily Kent Unit. Named after Emily Kent, who passed away in 1995, the unit stands as a testament to her mother Julie’s relentless advocacy. However, despite its vital medical services, the absence of a dedicated psychologist leaves a critical gap in care—a need that Julie’s campaign aims to address by raising £250,000 to fund a psychologist for 10 years.
Guiding Themes
- Legacy & Advocacy – Honouring Emily’s memory through meaningful change.
- Psychological Support – Addressing the overlooked emotional burden of pediatric cancer.
- Community Action – Mobilising collective efforts to make a tangible difference.
- Hope & Healing – Ensuring that children like Kai not only survive but thrive emotionally.
The Heart & Supporting Roles
- The Heart: Julie Kent MBE – A mother who turned personal tragedy into a lifelong mission of advocacy, ensuring other families receive the support hers didn’t have.
- Supporting Characters:
- Toby & Kai – A father and son navigating the emotional and physical challenges of leukemia treatment, highlighting the urgent need for psychological care.
- Medical Staff & Campaign Supporters – Individuals who recognize the necessity of emotional support in pediatric oncology and rally behind the cause.
Structuring the Narrative Arc
- Introduction: The documentary begins by introducing Julie’s story and the origins of the Emily Kent Unit, illustrating the legacy of love and advocacy.
- The Problem: Despite world-class medical care, the ward lacks a permanent psychologist, leaving young patients and their families to cope with the emotional trauma of cancer on their own.
- The Human Impact: Through the voices of Julie, Toby, and Kai, the film brings this issue to life, showing the emotional toll of pediatric cancer beyond the physical battle.
- The Call to Action: In honor of what would have been Emily’s 30th birthday, Julie launches Emily’s Gift, a fundraising campaign to close this gap in care.
- The Movement: The documentary showcases how the campaign is gaining traction, with community support, digital outreach, and advocacy fueling momentum.
- Resolution & Next Steps: The film concludes with a powerful invitation—encouraging viewers to donate, spread awareness, and be part of a movement that ensures no child fights cancer alone.
To maximize impact, the film was strategically released across multiple platforms:
- Campaign’s Facebook Page – Ensuring it reaches an engaged and compassionate audience.
- Short-Form Video Series – Designed for easy sharing across social media, linking directly to the fundraising page.
- Website Integration – Driving traffic to the campaign’s website for donations and more information.
"Will offered to make a film to tell the story of Emily’s Gift. He was so thoughtful and professional through the whole process. Meeting to discuss the story, looking for the right venue to film, speaking to parents of children with cancer, and interviewing us all sensitively and expertly.
The end result was a full film plus shorts for social media, which helped us boost our campaign for children with cancer in Gloucestershire. Thank you so much, Will. I recommend him without hesitation."
