The next few months are going to be very difficult, but we are grateful to all of the people who are selflessly working to ensure that our valuable services continue.

Sadly, we have incurred additional costs including those for specialist equipment and training to protect our dedicated staff as they prepare to carry out their duties in a very different environment.

This comes at a time when we have had to cancel our fundraising events for the foreseeable future. The loss of income from our Easter activities, ladies lunches, and summer walks, as well as mass participation runs and planned fundraising events by people out in the community, has meant that we are facing a huge shortfall of £250,000.

Although Francis House seems a very different place, we continue to offer support to our families through: regular telephone calls to families unable to leave their homes; social emergency respite helping families to isolate their sick children if other members of the family develop COVID-19 symptoms; Symptom Control and End of Life Care (this may be in the families own homes) and use of the Rainbow Rooms and Bereavement Support.

Whilst dealing with the current situation we also need to be prepared for the aftermath, the increased need for respite to relieve weary parents; the different emotional support needs of various members of our families and the many emergencies that will result from sick young people being unable to access their normal hospital appointments, specialist consultants and life enhancing activities. We are going to be very busy for some time to come!

These are difficult times financially and we rely on people like you to keep the doors of Francis House open. Any donations will be most gratefully received.

Thank you from everyone at Francis House.