AWARENESS cards explaining the signs of childhood cancer have been created by a charity set up in memory of a four-year-old girl.

Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust is currently working on a huge project to distribute the evidence based awareness cards to parents in Worcestershire and nationally.

The charity was set up in memory of Grace Kelly, from Crowle, near Worcester, who died just weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in November 2014.

Already, a number of schools in the city have gotten behind the project sending the cards home to parents showing the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and how they may present.

They will also be rolled out across the county with the help of health visitors and school nurses.

Each baby that is born will receive one at the time of their first health visitor check and they will be offered again at the reception year health check in schools.

A second awareness card has been created for doctors and clinicians.

Jen Kelly, Grace's mum, said: "Childhood cancer is the biggest non accidental cause of death in children in the UK and as such we need to raise awareness of how it may present.

"Currently, over a half of children diagnosed face delays in their diagnosis, often because of a lack of knowledge about how it may present.

"With one in 500 children getting cancer before they turn 14, we have been working to try and save lives.

"We have now distributed over 40,000 awareness cards throughout Worcestershire and nationally, but there is still a long way to go.

"We are also looking for help with any financial backing or donations towards the scheme to enable us to distribute the cards as far as possible."

Over Christmas, Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust raised over £7,000 with people wearing their festive jumpers to work or to school.

"We'd like to thank everyone who took part.

"In the new year, the charity also reached a total of £120,000 raised so far in Grace's memory which was amazing.

"This week we have released a £50,000 research grant for researchers to apply for so the funds we have raised are going directly into research where it is needed.

"It really is wonderful to see that the hard work in Grace's memory is helping her make a difference."

Anyone who can help distribute cards should email contact@gracekellyladybird.co.uk.