Children's Hospices

ROTARY RAISES OVER £1,000,000 FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPICES

At this week's meeting (9^th February 2005) chaired by President Robert Lewis Rotary Foundation Chairman John Cradduck announced that Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland have raised £1,006,722 for children’s hospices in the last Rotary year to July. The partnership between Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and the Association of Children’s Hospices (ACH)  had two aims: to raise much needed funds and to raise awareness of children’s hospices. Many Rotary Clubs have formed strong links with their local children’s hospices and their support will continue in the future. As well as fund raising Rotarians are giving thousands of hours of volunteer time, helping hospices in a variety of ways.

As well as the local work with individual hospices, many Rotary Clubs have also been supporting the work of the ACH., more than £20,000 has been raised fro the Association to help with the work they undertake centrally. The partnership has also raised awareness of children’s hospices, which is crucial, especially in the development of the new hospices such as in Balloch, Scotland and Bristol

Brian Stoyel, President Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland said “I am delighted at the success of the partnership and the support given by Rotary Clubs to help continue and expand the wonderful children’s hospice services which so many parents depend on. The strong links that have developed over the past twelve months will ensure continuing support for the hospices from Rotary Clubs in years to come.” “The support the children’s hospice movement has received from the members of Rotary in the last 12 months has surpassed all expectations, with over £1,000,000 raised,” said Barbara Gelb, Chief Executive of the Association of Children’s Hospices.  “This is a phenomenal achievement and we would like to thank Rotary Clubs once again for their fantastic support.” 

There are some 20,000 children across the UK with conditions that mean they will not live to reach adulthood.  Some children die when very young; others deteriorate slowly over many years.  Families caring for life-limited children – often 24 hours a day over many years – can feel extremely isolated and under enormous emotional, physical and financial strain: relationships can suffer; careers may have to be abandoned; well brothers and sisters feel left out; and normal family activities become impossible.

Children’s Hospices welcome whole families for respite care, giving them a break together or time to themselves in a comfortable home-like atmosphere. They provide expert palliative and emergency care; practical advice and information; and also terminal care and support into bereavement for as long as it is needed.

There are currently 29 fully operational children’s hospices in the United Kingdom, 5 organisations offering a Hospice at Home service, 1 children’s hospice Day Care service and another 7 projects with plans at various stages to establish a children’s hospice service. ACH works on behalf of all of these organisations.

11/02/05