Our Royal Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, has asked everyone to join her “in thanking the UK’s 54 children’s hospices and their incredible staff for the life-changing care they provide”, in a message to mark this Children’s Hospice Week (21-27 June).
The theme of the national awareness week, organised by the UK’s umbrella charity for children’s palliative care, Together for Short Lives, is Pushed to the Limits. This reflects how families who use children’s hospice services have been pushed to theirs this last year.
The Duchess became EACH Royal Patron in 2012 and her letter is the latest in a series of messages she has released, and visits she has made, since.
Phil Gormley, EACH Chief Executive, says: “I am extremely grateful to The Duchess for her active support and advocacy, which is deeply appreciated and valued by both our families and staff.
“We are currently doing everything we can to ensure delivery of our frontline service. The care we deliver is critically important to some of the most vulnerable children in society and is dependent on continued support from the people of East Anglia.
“The pandemic has created some significant challenges, including maintaining our voluntary income, but these aren’t insurmountable and we’re genuinely confident of being able to innovate, expand and develop our service in future.”