Date published: 22 May 2017 by Jessica Homer
We are delighted to share the exciting news that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has recorded a personal video message to celebrate children’s palliative care services and mark the beginning of Children’s Hospice Week 2017. Children’s Hospice Week (22-28 May) is organised by the UK children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives of which Rainbow Trust is a member.
The Duchess’s video message is released today (22 May 2017), and can be viewed on the Together for Short Lives websites
The Duchess’s message and support highlights the huge difference that all palliative care services can make for children and families.
Rainbow Trust provides designated Family Support Workers to over 2,200 children with life threatening and terminal illnesses and their families throughout England. Our Family Support Workers become a trusted part of the family and because caring for a child with a serious illness is 24 /7, our Family Support Workers provide support to families however, wherever and for as long as a family needs it.
Our Head of Marketing Oonagh Goodman says:
“We are thrilled that HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is helping to raise awareness of services like ours to mark Children’s Hospice Week. Rainbow Trust works closely with hospices to support families who have a seriously ill child . “
The Duchess, as Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), talks about her personal experience of the incredible difference that children’s hospices and palliative care services can make for children and families, and asks everyone to join her this Children’s Hospice Week by shining a light on these lifeline services.
The Duchess says: “Today as we mark the beginning of Children’s Hospice Week – I hope you will join me in shining a light on the dedicated and inspirational staff and volunteers, and the lifeline services they provide for children and their families.”
“The work they do is extraordinary, and it really does make a world of difference.”
Welcoming The Duchess of Cambridge’s message of support, Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO for Together for Short Lives, the charity behind Children’s Hospice Week said:
“We are so thrilled that Her Royal Highness is supporting Children’s Hospice Week. The Duchess’s words, and her amazing support for Children’s Hospice Week since 2013, have been transformational, helping to raise awareness of the needs of seriously ill children and families and to show that help is at hand.
“Families coming to terms with the heart-breaking news that their child will die young often say that it is the most isolating time and they simply don’t know where to turn for help.
That’s why the Duchess’s words are so poignant – it’s a clear message that help is available from the remarkable children’s hospice and palliative care services right across the UK. This support can make a world of difference for families.”
Children’s Hospice Week (22-28 May) is the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for children with life-limiting conditions and their families, and the hospice and palliative care services that support them.
Rainbow Trust and children’s hospice services are all charities and rely on the generosity of the public to deliver their lifeline care and support.
This year Children’s Hospice Week will be turning up the volume on children’s palliative care to show what life is like for families caring for children with life-limiting conditions, and to amplify families’ voices. It’s also a call for support: these families don’t have time to wait to get the care and support they desperately need.
