In September 2024, myself and some others will be taking part in the Machu Picchu challenge to raise much needed funds for Demelza Hospice Care for Children

As many of you know I lost my brother Tom at the end of 2021 to cancer. His diagnosis and subsequent death has had a huge impact on me both personally and professionally.  His local hospice came into our lives and provided a lifeline to both him and us as a family. He immediately felt safe and we breathed a sigh of relief knowing they were with us supporting us all through the hardest of times. We weren’t alone.  Losing Tom gave me the push and courage I needed to do something very unlike me and step out of my comfort zone and it is this courage that is pushing me to step out of my comfort zone again and do this challenge for families like us.

I have been a paediatric nurse in the NHS for over 20 years, working in a busy acute hospital.  However in April 2022 I joined the community team at Demelza Hospice Care for Children as a senior nurse and became part of a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable paediatric palliative care nurses and health care assistants.  I now see first hand how the money people donate to Demelza is used and I am forever proud of the work we do.  

At Demelza, we believe every child with a serious or terminal condition and their families should receive the specialist care and emotional support they need to live the most fulfilling life they can.  Every year our work is a lifeline to over 750 children, young people and families throughout Kent, South EastLondon and East Sussex; helping them to build memories, for however long they have together. Parents and carers tell us that our knowledge, skills and experience help them to feel more confident and in control when caring for their children.

Demelza provide : specialist clinical care both in our hospice buildings and in families homes. Providing respite, symptom management and end of life care in a place the family chooses. Our dedicated bereavement suite provides a safe space for families to be with their child post death and continue making memories if they wish with the support of our highly skilled senior health care assistants who can offer hand casts, hand and foot prints and bereavement photography.  A family can choose for their child to receive respite at home and for their child to die at home.  This is where my team comes in.  We will support the family in their homes where they feel safe and secure during their life, but also at the end and after with access to 24 hourcare from nurses like myself and equipment like cold blankets.

: therapies- such as counselling, bereavement support, art and music therapy. 

: family support that includes invaluable support with signposting families to different services and support, help with form filling, a friendly ear on the end of the phone, siblingand grandparent support and much, much more

: specialised activities such as the under 5’s weekly groups that give children a safe place to play but most importantly the chance for parents to build relationships with other parents in similar situations.  Sibling’s groups and days out, seasonal activities such as the Christmas grotto and many, many more.

: practical support from our amazingly dedicated team of volunteers, who may support families with daily chores, shopping or driving them to their countless hospital appointments around Kent and London.

This is only part of what we do and we are the constant presence across whole lifetimes, supporting with making the happiest of memories as well as supporting through prolonged hospital admissions or end of life care and beyond. We are a bespoke, individualised and responsive service that adapts to every family and situation as what is right for one family may not be for another. But most of all, Demelza is full of love, laughter and fun and I see it every single day in the families I work with.  Their love, courage and determination amazes me every day.

But if you’ve got this far, I need your help, as without you, none of this is possible.  Demelzais a charity and relies almost entirely on generous people like you donating.  We can’t provide this highly skilled, professional service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without you!!!!!

My families face challenges every single day so the least I can do is this multi day trek through diverse ecosystems, that includes 3 high mountain passes, the highest being 4200m as an overweight, very unfit, peri menopausal woman.  I will be self-funding the costs of the trip so every single penny you donate goes to continuing being able to support countless families.  Please PleasePlease support this amazing charity. Most of us will be lucky enough not to ever need to use services like Demelza but sadly so many do.

Thank you in advance, there will be fundraising opportunities’ over this year so please look out for them and donate as and when you can.