THINKING about having a wardrobe refresh and throwing away your old clothes, well you could also help children with cancer at the same time.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month urges residents in the South East to clear out their wardrobes this month, to help children and young people survive cancer.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesman for the South East, said: “More children and young people than ever are surviving cancer. But there’s still so much more to do.

“Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment and the long-term side effects survivors often experience. So, it needs different, dedicated research which campaigns like Give Up Clothes For Good help to fund.

Clothes, accessories, homeware and other pre-loved items can be donated to TK Maxx's Give Up Clothes For Good campaign in support of Cancer Research UK.

The idea is that each bag sold in a Cancer Research UK shop could raise up to £30 to help fund vital research into children's cancers.

In the South East, around 240 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer every year.

TK Maxx is the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers.

Since 2004, the retailer has raised more than £32.5 million to help improve survival.

Jo Murphy, assistant vice president of corporate responsibility at TK Maxx, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our associates and customers who have helped us raise over £32.5 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work in children’s and young people’s cancers.

"We hope our support will go some way to improve the outcomes of children and young people affected by cancer.”

The Give Up Clothes For Good is one of the UK's longest running clothes collection campaigns in the South East and also helps the environment by re-using and recycling goods.