East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is delighted to announce Lady Rose, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, as a new Patron.
Lady Rose has supported EACH greatly in recent years, most notably hosting A Taste of Norfolk alongside the Marquess of Cholmondeley at their Houghton Hall home in 2016. The gala dinner was organised by existing EACH Patron Emma Deterding. Guests included EACH Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke of Cambridge as well as acclaimed author and EACH Ambassador Anthony Horowitz. It raised over £400,000 for the nook appeal, EACH’s campaign to raise £10 million and build a new hospice in Norfolk.
Foundations for that were laid in November. Lady Rose visited the site this morning, during Children’s Hospice Week, meeting workers from R G Carter, the company leading on construction, and staff from EACH to see how building work is progressing.
Sam Loveday, EACH Director of Income Generation, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lady Rose on board as a Patron. Her support of EACH and particularly the nook appeal has been fantastic, not only raising a lot of money for us but also introducing us to new supporters.”
Lady Rose said: “I feel honoured to become a Patron of EACH, that provides incredible care and support for children and families in our region. It’s vital to raise funds every year to continue this, and to build the much-needed new hospice, and I look forward to helping in any way I can.”
Houghton Hall is well known for its art collections and events, and in June will host a private viewing of a Damien Hirst exhibition. In November, the country house hosted an evening of discussion between Mary Beard, Cambridge classics professor, and Tim Knox, Director of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, raising over £3,000 for the nook appeal.
EACH uses art at all three of its hospices – in Milton, Cambridgeshire, at The Treehouse in Ipswich, and at its current Norfolk hospice in Quidenham – as a way for children, young people and families to communicate issues they may find confusing, contradictory or just hard to put into words. Art can also help those who have difficulty communicating verbally to express what they are feeling. The nook will feature a fantastic therapy area for art, crafts and music.
The nook appeal currently stands at £7,935,818. Fundraising-permitting, EACH hopes the new hospice will be operational by summer 2019.
For more information about the appeal and to support it, go to www.each.org.uk/the-nook.
Communities asked to remember EACH Counts this Children’s Hospice Week
Did you know that in a typical 24 hours East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) can deliver 12 symptom management support sessions, overnight stays for five children and more than 19 wellbeing sessions?
Those are some of the key stats communities in the region are being reminded of this Children’s Hospice Week as part of the new EACH Counts campaign, intended to highlight the importance of every child, family, donation, purchase, event and volunteer.
EACH cares for over 360 children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, also supporting over 450 family members. It costs £5,600 a day to provide the vital service in one county.
Bethany Smith, eight, from Norwich, is among children who currently benefit from EACH care. Her mum, Caroline, said: “Bethany’s benefited immensely from hydrotherapy sessions and has achieved so much with the fantastic support of the EACH team. She’s gone from being unable to support her head or sit up on her own to being able to support her head, sit up unaided and shuffle along the floor. Once she has even managed to stand with a small amount of support from us – which was just an amazing moment.
“We can’t put into words how much of a difference EACH makes to our family. The team there are absolutely fantastic and have included Bethany in so many different events and activities. We can all see her confidence and independence has grown.”
Daisy Newman, nine, from Carlton Colville, is another child who benefits from EACH care. Her dad, Wayne, said: “If it wasn’t for EACH we wouldn’t have a break. This is the only time we leave Daisy alone. We couldn’t imagine how hard it would be without the time they offer and value it very much.
“EACH gives us the chance to spend a small amount of time with Daisy’s sister. Gracie has gone through a lot and never complains. It’s lovely to take her out for the day and just focus on her.”
Jane Campbell, EACH Service Manager (Quidenham), said: “The theme for Children’s Hospice Week this year is Life’s Short. It’s the small moments that make every day special and we’d like to encourage supporters to make each hour, each day and each family count.
“The stories of Bethany and Daisy are great examples of the difference we make, but we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of everyone who makes donations to, volunteers and does fundraising for us.
“There are so many ways to show your support. Please take a moment this week to visit www.each.org.uk and consider our cause.”
Alternatively, to find out more about fundraising, call the Norfolk fundraising team on 01953 666767, about volunteering, call 01223 205183, or to find where your nearest EACH shop is go to www.each.org.uk/shops.
