Parents receiving vital support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) say they were proud and honoured to open the charity’s new shop in St Neots today.
Two families were asked to cut the ribbon, and the Market Square store has become EACH’s 56th across the region – including 11 others in Cambridgeshire.
One of those invited along was Pelin Palfrey, along with daughter Aida, who has CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD). The 15-year-old has been receiving care from EACH at Milton since January.
The rare condition affects her motor skills, vision and speech, and she also has drug-resistant epilepsy that causes severe, extreme seizures.
“We were very pleased to be asked and considered it an honour,” said Pelin, who lives in St Neots.
“I walked past a few weeks ago before the shop opened and could see it was one of the best locations in town.
“It was a lovely thing to do, and we’ll always do whatever we can to support and raise awareness of EACH.
“The team are awesome, amazing people, and Aida loves her time at Milton.
“We’ve noticed that when we get there, she starts scrunching her hands, and that’s called stereotypies. It’s our way of knowing she’s excited.”
Also on hand to help with the ribbon-cutting was mum Claire Reece, whose son, Hugo, was born with CHARGE Syndrome – a disorder caused by gene mutations – and died in November 2024. The 15-year-old and his family were supported at Milton.
EACH became part of their lives when he was two, going on to enjoy short breaks at the hospice, spending lots of time on the care floor and having many fun play therapy sessions at home in St Neots.
After his death at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, near Huntingdon, Hugo’s body was moved to Milton. It gave his family three precious days to create memories and start navigating their grief.
Claire attended this morning along with daughter Hilary, nine, and son Etienne, eight. She also has two other children – Martha, 15, and Eric, 12.
“I was so pleased and touched to be asked,” she said.
“Hugo loved visiting charity shops and particularly enjoyed buying lunchboxes and rucksacks – building up quite a collection and using a different one every day – so to have a new one here in our hometown feels special and poignant.
“EACH remains a big part of my life, and I have counselling to help me cope with my grief.
“Having someone I can talk to and be honest with, who understands my situation, is invaluable.”
EACH provides care and support to children and families across the region, with other hospices in Norfolk and Suffolk.
In addition to four shops within Cambridge – in Cherry Hinton Road, Fitzroy Street, Histon Road and Milton Road – EACH’s other Cambridgeshire shops are in Cherry Hinton, Ely, Huntingdon, March, Soham, St Ives and Whittlesey.
The team would love to hear from new volunteers interested in lending a hand and helping in St Neots. To find out more or register your interest, call 01480 597108 or email VolunteerServices@each.org.uk
Pictures: Karen Self/EACH
