Children’s Hospice to benefit from this year’s ITV Text Santa

Christmas is starting early at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice as they prepare for this year’s Text Santa, ITV’s annual charity appeal.

 

Text Santa, ITV’s annual charity fundraiser, will return in December 2014 to raise money and awareness for six based charities including Together for Short Lives, the leading charity for UK children’s hospices. The funds raised for Together for Short Lives will support the 52 children’s hospice across the country including Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. The appeal has raised £15 million for charities since it started in 2011.

 

Text Santa will once again provide some of the most exciting and anticipated television over the Christmas period.

 

Barbara Gelb, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said “Together for Short Lives is absolutely delighted to be benefiting from Text Santa again this year. The fantastic partnership will be transformational for us, the UK’s 49,000 children with life threatening and life limiting conditions and the amazing children’s hospices that provide vital care and support. Children’s Hospice are all charities and rely on donations – the money raised will make a real difference to local children’s hospices helping them to deliver lifeline support – so families can make the most of their precious time together. We can’t thank ITV enough.”

 

Ant & Dec, Philip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Christine Bleakley and Paddy McGuinness hosted the 2013 live show, which was broadcast on 20 December and was watched by a peak audience of 6.1 million people.

 

Together for Short Lives

 

Together for Short Lives is the leading charity for UK children’s hospices. We support those who help, love and care for the 49,000 children and young people who are unlikely to reach adulthood. We work with the UK’s 52 children’s hospice services and a range of other services across the country so that every child, young person and their family has the best possible care and support whenever and wherever they need it. Children’s Hospices offer a lifeline to families, helping ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances to cope with the challenges of daily life. From the moment of diagnosis, for whatever life holds, we help to ensure families make the most of their precious time together.

 

Visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk for more information.

2nd May, Asda Carlisle – Children’s hospice superheroes assemble

If you are going to ASDA in Carlisle this Thursday your eyes are not deceiving you. A team of superheroes from Eden House Children’s Hospice will be assembling in the store.

As part of Children’s Hospice Week, on Thursday 2 May, a selection of superheroes from Cumbria’s only children’s hospice will be in the store promoting the care and support provided by the children’s hospice.

Between 10am and 4pm, Eden House nurses will be providing information about the children’s hospice, hosting a range of games for children and encouraging the local community to nominate their own personal superhero and attach it to the map of Cumbria.

During Children’s Hospice Week, Friday 26 April to Friday 3 May, Eden House Children’s Hospice are encouraging people to become a fundraising superhero and support the amazing care they provide to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses.

To find out how you can become an Eden House Children’s Hospice fundraising superhero call the Fundraising Team, on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek

Release you superpowers in aid of children’s hospice

Cumbria’s only children’s hospice is encouraging people to release their inner superpowers and fly through the skies.

On Sunday 25 August, Eden House Children’s Hospice is hosting their very first very first Zip Slide event in the picturesque location of Muncaster Castle. The children’s hospice is now encouraging people to release their inner superhero and sign up for the event during Children’s Hospice Week.

Between Friday 26 April and Friday 3 May, people throughout the country celebrate the amazing work and care provided by children’s hospices in the UK, including Eden House Children’s Hospice. What better way to show your support this year than by signing up for this once in a lifetime opportunity?

Janet McGreevy, Eden House Clinical Sister, said “Throughout Children’s Hospice Week Eden House is encouraging people to become a children’s superhero and support the amazing care provided by Eden House’s dedicated team of nurses. The Muncaster Castle Zip Slide event is an exhilarating way to show your support for Eden House.”

To register for the Eden House Children’s Hospice Zip Slide event and become a children’s hospice superhero contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613, or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek

“Isaac loves it at Eden House” – the Westland family from Appleby

Ever since he was 9 months old Isaac Westland, from Appleby, has attended Cumbria’s only children’s hospice.

Isaac, who has the condition Noonan Syndrome, accesses Eden House for the respite care, support and activities provided by the children’s hospice’s dedicated team of nurses. The nurses and activity coordinators organise a wide variety of entertainment, games and crafts for the children and young adults to take part in.

Isaac’s mother, Jenny, explains “Isaac loves it at Eden House. At the beginning Eden House was very important for Isaac, he started attending the children’s hospice when he was 7 months old. The nurses at Eden House really helped him develop his Makaton, which uses signs and symbols to help people communicate.”

Along with providing the children and young adults with a range of new and exciting experiences, the respite care provided at Eden House Children’s Hospice allows parents, guardians and siblings the opportunity to have a break from caring for their child, which can often be demanding.

Jenny continues, “I can relax when I drop Isaac off at Eden House, confidently knowing that he his being looked after by all of the nurses. I am able to drop Isaac off at Eden House and then go to the cinema in Carlisle or go out for a meal with my husband David.

“Before my daughter Molly started school we would go into Carlisle and do something for the both of us after leaving Isaac at Eden House. She used to call it Molly and Mummy day.”

The care and support provided to the children, young adults and their families continues even when the child is not at Eden House. Family’s, like the Westland’s, feel safe in the knowledge that the security of Eden House is always there in the background if they ever needed them in and emergency.

This Children’s Hospice Week, Friday 26 April to Friday 3 May, the children, young adults, families and nurses at Eden House Children’s Hospice are encouraging the local community to become a fundraising superhero. Non of the amazing care and support provided would be possible without the generosity of people and businesses from throughout Cumbria.

Jenny concludes, “It could be anybody who might need to access the care provided by Eden House Children’s Hospice in the future. If the service goes then the care will go and what will people be able to do then.”

To find out how you can become an Eden House Children’s Hospice superhero please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/events

“Eden House is great for all of the family, not just Matthew” – respite care for a Kendal family

For the last 3 and a half years the Hoyle family have made the 90 mile round trip journey from Kendal to Cumbria’s only children’s hospice, Eden House.

Matthew Hoyle, 15, who has Lissencephaly, which symptoms include epilepsy, initially accessed the respite care provided at the children’s hospice every six weeks. Even with Matthew now attending a residential school the family continue to access the support a few nights a year.

Matthew’s father, John, explains, “Eden House is great for all of the family, not just Matthew. We know when he is there he is safe, has lots of attention and most importantly we trust the nursing staff. We are completely confident in Eden House and that confidence has been built by our ongoing contact with the service.”

Eden House’s dedicated team of nurses are able to provide both medical and emotional care overnight for up to five children. The team of nurses and activity coordinators ensure that Eden House maintains a home from home environment for all of the children, young adults and families to enjoy.

John continued, “It has a different aroma and look to a hospital, it is as close to a home from home as possible. Before we found out about Eden House Matthew wouldn’t have been able to have any type of break and it was the same for the family. It is wonderful knowing that he could go to a place that was somewhere he could enjoy and with all of the right facilities.”

As well as allowing the children and young adults to experience new activities in a safe and welcoming environment, the respite care provided by Eden House Children’s Hospice allows families to have a break from caring for their child which can often be demanding.

Matthew’s mum, Nicky a teaching assistant at Vicarage Park School, said “As a parent it is not easy to entrust the care and welfare of your child with others. However, we really trust the children’s hospice and their nurses.

“I’d encourage other people who have children who could benefit from the care and support Eden House gives to make sure they access it. It shouldn’t be a secret or somewhere they are apprehensive to approach.”

During Children’s Hospice Week, Friday 26 April to Friday 3 May, the children, families, nurses and volunteers at Eden House Children’s Hospice are encouraging people to become a fundraising superhero and support the children’s hospice. Both John and Nicky promote Eden House throughout the Kendal area by placing collection boxes in local shops and fundraising at their local pub.

Nicky continues, “It is a really special place and a great cause. A lot of people don’t know that Eden House is Cumbria’s children’s hospice. I would definitely urge people to support such a good and important local cause.”

To find out how you can become an Eden House Children’s Hospice fundraising superhero visit http://www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek

“Eden House makes a difference to the whole family” – Cameron’s Story

Ever since Eden House Children’s Hospice opened its doors to the public after the Jigsaw Appeal, one local boy has accessed the care and support provided by their dedicated team of nurses.

Cameron Mitchell, 11, who has quad cerebral palsy and epilepsy, has received the highest standards of respite care at Eden House since 2007. The children’s hospice is able to provide care and support for up to 6 children and young adults from throughout Cumbria every day.

Cameron’s mother, Nicola Clulow, explains “Eden House is very important to Cameron and the whole family. Eden House is just around the corner from me and I know that when Cameron is going to the children’s hospice he will be thoroughly well looked after by all of the nurses. He loves going out into the gardens with the staff at Eden House.”

The care and support provided by Eden House Children Hospice’s dedicated team of nurse and activity coordinators is extended to the children’s family and siblings. When children and young adults, like Cameron, access the respite care at Eden House it allows their family to have a break from caring for their child which can often be demanding.

Nicola continued “When I know that Cameron is visiting Eden House for respite care I am able plan around this and it gives me the opportunity to spend time with Cameron’s siblings. It is often important for carers to be able to plan their time well in advance.”

During Children’s Hospice Week, Friday 26 April to Friday 3 May, Eden House Children’s Hospice are encouraging people to become a fundraising superhero and support the amazing work and activities which take place at the children’s hospice everyday.

Nicola concluded, “Eden House makes a difference to the whole family and local charities, like Eden House, are always an important cause for people to support.”

To find out how you can support Eden House Children’s Hospice and make a huge difference to local families and children, like Cameron, visit www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek

“The care provided at Eden House Children’s Hospice is first class” – a family story

It may be over a 90 mile round trip, but one family from Haugh of Urr make the journey to their local hospice for the care, support and great experiences their son enjoys.

Lewis Drennan, who has multiple complex needs including cerebral palsy and epilepsy, wasn’t expected to reach 2 years old. Fifteen years later Lewis enjoys the range of new experiences his respite care at Eden House Children’s Hospice offers.

Lewis’s father, Jock, explains, “Lewis loves it at Eden House, he always has a great time and the care provided there is first class. Although Lewis is non verbal we know from his body language that he is giving us permission to leave him at Eden House.”

The respite care provided by Eden House Children’s Hospice’s nurses allows children with life limiting illnesses, like Lewis, to stay at the facility both through the day and over night. This allows the children, parents and siblings the opportunity to have a break from their normal route safe in the knowledge that the children and young adults will be cared for at the local children’s hospice.

Jock highlights the importance of this service, “Only parents who are in our situation might be able to understand this, but when Lewis is at Eden House my wife Jackie and I are able to get a couple of good nights sleep as we know that we don’t have go to Lewis if he needs us.”

During Children’s Hospice Week, Friday 26 April to Friday 3 May, Eden House Children’s Hospice is encouraging the local community to be a hospice superhero. Non of the care, support and activities provided at the children’s hospice would be possible without the kindness and generosity of the local people and businesses who support Eden House in a variety of different ways.

Jock concludes, “Any donations or fundraising activities in aid of Eden House Children’s Hospice is a great thing because it helps run the children’s hospice. They would also welcome volunteers to help work with the kids at Eden House.”

To find out how you can become an Eden House Children’s Hospice superhero contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek

Nominate your own superhero for Children’s Hospice Week

Nominate your own superhero for Children’s Hospice Week

Cumbria’s only children’s hospice is searching for real life local superheroes as part of Children’s Hospice Week.

Between Friday 26 April and Friday 3 May, Eden House Children’s Hospice is encouraging people to nominate their very own superhero. Throughout the awareness week, Eden House is hoping to highlight superheroes in every city, town and village throughout Cumbria.

Unlike Spiderman, Superman and Cat Women, the Eden House superheroes do not have to posses super powers, it could be somebody’s mother, neighbour or Eden House Children’s Hospice Nurse. All that people have to do is send their chosen superheroes name, locations and reason why to the children’s hospice.

Janet McGreevy, Clinical Sister at Eden House said, “It would be amazing if everybody could nominate their very own superhero during Children’s Hospice Week. Eden House is very lucky to have thousands of superheroes throughout the county who support us on a daily basis, but we want to find out who your superhero is.”

If you would like to nominate you very own superhero or to find out how you can become an Eden House Children’s Hospice superhero visit www.evhospice.org.uk/childrenshospiceweek or email andrew.maddison@edenvalleyhospice.org.uk