A grandma whose four-year-old grandson received end-of-life care from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has shared her story to help promote the return of a powerful TV advert.
Ellen Best has spoken out to support the ‘This is Hospice Care’ campaign – a collaboration between 143 adult and children’s hospices across England, Scotland and Wales, brought together by Hospice UK. The national advert first aired in February and is now being shown again throughout the next three weeks, designed to change perceptions and inspire long-term support for organisations like EACH by encouraging people to consider a gift in their Will.
Ellen’s grandson, George, was diagnosed with the soft tissue tumour Rhabdomyosarcoma in May 2022. He was referred to EACH the following Spring and died at its Milton base in October 2023.
“We received so much comfort, guidance and support from EACH,” said Ellen, from Hessett. “It’s not something I expected, as a grandparent, but to benefit from the kindness, knowledge, help and wisdom of so many incredible people was an absolute blessing. I’ll forever be grateful. As a grandparent, it was a devastating time. You don’t expect to outlive your children, let alone your grandchildren, and to lose my gorgeous grandson, while also seeing my daughter and son-in-law suffering, was heart-breaking.
“I felt a failure, because in my mind, it should be my job to shield and protect them both, to be the strength they needed. However, the team walked them gently to that end and continue to share their professional advice and support with kindness and care.”
Ellen admits she was in ‘complete shock’ at the level of support she received and will never forget the way she was welcomed and looked after.
“In my head, I felt I was taking up the care team’s valuable time – I should be able to cope and they should be with other children and parents instead,” she said. However, I was always reassured I should never feel that way and definitely wasn’t intruding. It was such a relief to have someone to talk to. They gave me the help and confidence I needed and, as a grandparent, I was wrapped in the arms of so much care and support. We couldn’t have been in better hands and I don’t know how I’d have coped otherwise.
“I knew support would be there at the very end, because I understand what the word ‘hospice’ entails. What I didn’t appreciate was the level of support we’d get along the way and I wish people knew that a children’s hospice isn’t somewhere to be scared of. As a grandparent, I was made to feel relevant and having so much help, guidance and support equipped me to do my best for our family.”
Gifts in Wills are crucial to the survival and growth of organisations like EACH, which, in addition to Milton, also has The Nook, near Norwich, and The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
“We’re proud and delighted to be joining forces with other hospices as part of this powerful campaign,” said Jessica Sayer, EACH’s Head of Supporter Engagement. It’s an exciting opportunity to help raise the profile of hospices and the incredible work that goes on within them. One in six of the children we support is thanks to generous supporters leaving a gift in their Will. It’s a crucial part of our income and why we’re asking others in our community to consider doing likewise – to ensure we can continue supporting the rising number of families in need, for now and many years to come.”
To read more how you can help, head here.
