Title : The Duchesses Zoom In for Children's Hospice Week
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The Duchesses Zoom In for Children's Hospice Week
To mark Children's Hospice Week, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall joined forces via Zoom to support three of their patronages: East Anglia's Children's Hospices, Children's Hospice South West and Helen and Douglas House. The video call took place last Wednesday with Kate dialing in from Norfolk and Camilla from London.The duchesses were joined by Eddie Farwell, co-founder of Children's Hospice South West, and CEO of Helen and Douglas House, Clare Periton. Camilla said: "We'd like to thank everybody that works for hospices across the UK for the incredible job you do and allowing families to treasure their moments together." Speaking about nurses and carers, she described them as "the most wonderful people" that inspire happiness. Kate said she's a "massive fan" of the work hospices do and it's "awe-inspiring" to see the efforts of staff to provide care in the most difficult circumstances.
Kate and Camilla also heard from the Delf family who are being supported by EACH. Parents Stuart and Carla and their thirteen-year-old son Stuie spoke about the loss of nine-year-old Fraser who sadly passed away in January. Kate asked them how they had been supported and praised the work of EACH: "Children's hospices go that extra mile actually and support families like yourselves, I think it's extraordinary. And, like you say, they consider the whole family as well, which is really important."
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'Stuie, who has raised over £15,000 for EACH, told the Duchesses he was inspired by 100-year-old war veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The Duchess of Cornwall told him: "Oh Captain Tom. Captain Tom has done a lot for this country, hasn't he? He's inspired so many people. You must be very fit, Stuie."
The Delfs spent seven weeks living in the EACH hospice in Milton, near Cambridge, with Fraser before he died as a result of Coats plus syndrome, a rare condition that affects multiple organs and causes brain abnormalities.
Kate asked the family about the support they received from EACH at the time, with mum Carla, 37, telling the Duchess: "They are just such amazing people, they really are. The care was amazing, not just towards Fraser, making sure he was comfortable, but our wellbeing was met."
Stuart, 42, said afterwards: "[The Duchess] said she was going to plant a sunflower in memory of Fraser. I'm not sure which EACH it's going to be, but at one of the hospices." The sunflower has been adopted as the emblem of hospice care, a symbol of joy with the seeds representing patients and the surrounding petals as love, care, and compassion.'
Kate became patron of EACH in 2012. Although the charity is already reliant on donations to cover £6 million per year needed to support families in the area, they recently completed a mammoth effort - raising £10 million for a purpose built hospice called the Nook. Below, the Duchess at the official opening last November. During a speech that day, Kate addressed staff and volunteers: "EACH was one of the very first charities that I decided to become patron of after my marriage. Whilst a lot has changed since then, my commitment and support for this wonderful organisation and the work that you do has not."
More from EACH on how they are coping during COVID-19:
'THIS IS… Children’s Hospice Week!
This year, our theme is 'THIS IS…’.
We’ve all faced a challenging and uncertain time over the last few months. At EACH, we’ve lost significant income due to the closure of shops and cancellation of fundraising events and activities. We’ve also made rapid adjustments to the way we support families, while they shield their vulnerable children.
We know the word ‘hospice’ can be daunting, but we want to show you what they're really like – often very fun and happy places! Below and over the course of the week, we’ll introduce you to children and families, some of our team, our creative supporters and we'll show you more of what we’ve been doing during lockdown.'
As part of the week, they shared Sophie's story: "Lisa and husband Andrew Bell, 45, who also works at Addenbrooke's, have asked for a joint 45th, 46th and what would have been a 17th birthday present from friends, family and supporters of a donation to EACH in memory of their daughter, Sophie Bell, who died of a brain tumour on 27th December 2012, aged 10." The parents have since raised £120,000 for the Brain Tumour Research charity, deciding to change the direction of this fundraiser after hearing of the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EACH.
The family did not expect to use EACH services, but the charity's hospice in Milton made a big difference during Sophie's last few weeks. Lisa said: "They became a lifeline for us at the end. They moved us in, with a five-year-old son, within two weeks of us toing and froing, with one of us there and one at home. They fed us, they held us, they played with Sophie and Isaac [Sophie’s brother, now aged 12, a pupil at Newmarket Academy]. They counselled us throughout. They even took Isaac to school on some days. There was no question, no pushiness, no nothing as we continued to care for our daughter as only we felt we could and they supported us all the way. We owe them an incredible debt of gratitude. Knowing they are significantly down in revenue due to COVID-19, they are a charity, they aren’t funded by the government, knowing there is a risk of a child not getting the incredible love and care we received, we just can’t ignore it." Lisa's Just Giving page is here.
The Duchess of Cornwall became Royal Patron of Children's Hospice South West following a 2013 visit to their sister hospice in Cornwall. During a speech praising co-founder Eddie Farwell who joined the Duchesses on the Zoom call, Camilla said: "Can I say just a few words really to congratulate you, Eddie, and all of the team whose work has made this a very, very special place. Before I visited a hospice I always thought that they might be sad places but it is completely the opposite, they are uplifting and very, very special, and I think that this is one of the most exceptional places I have ever seen."
Helen and Douglas House provides hospice care for babies and children in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. The Duchess has been patron for thirteen years. In 2018, 500 jars of Duchess of Cornwall honey, produced by bees in Camilla's own private garden in Wiltshire, went on sale at Fortnum & Mason to raise money for the charity. Children from the charity are often invited for a festive visit to Clarence House to help decorate the tree and meet Santa's reindeer.
I didn't know until today the honey is sold each year in support of a different charity Camilla supports. It's a splendid idea and an excellent means of assisting in the many ongoing fundraising efforts.
Children's Hospice Week is the only week in the year dedicated to raising much-needed funds for hospices and palliative care services across the UK. It's been a grueling time for many charities and care providers who rely on donations and fundraising events to keep their vital services going, often providing a lifeline to families during unimaginable difficulties. Please click here to find out more or if you wish to donate.
Given the additional challenges, Together for Short Lives has created a number of means to help during this time. One in particular which might appeal is 'Spin the Wheel of Fortune'. Click here to spin the wheel.
Once you land on one of the following, you can set up your own Just Giving Page with friends and family who will sponsor you in the Children's Hospice Week challenge.
The Duchess wore a vivid green sweater or dress for the call and her Catherine Zoraida Fern earrings. There are several very nice Repli-Kates for the earring available at Etsy.
I hope you all are having a great start to the week!
I hope you all are having a great start to the week!
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