Encouraged to don a fancy dress costume of your chosen hero and raise vital funds for hospice care, Together for Short Lives have promoted the campaign via social media using #HeroFriday.
Ahead of the event, Together for Short Lives said: “It could be your favourite pop star, actor, sports personality or superhero. Or maybe your hero is a family member or friend that’s made the world of difference to you.”
We have of course seen the classic Batman and Spiderman costume making an appearance on Twitter, but we have also witnessed the less obvious choice, such as the Honey Monster!
Here are a selection of our favourite heroes featuring on social media today:
We’re celebrating #HeroFriday to raise money for @alexanderdevine as part of #ChildrensHospiceWeek! @Tog4ShortLives pic.twitter.com/j8y1VReGDq
— Global Personals (@globalpersonals) June 20, 2014
It’s the Honey Monster!! #childrenshospiceweek #HeroFriday pic.twitter.com/WYj151xuW4
— JustSingles.com (@JustSingles) June 20, 2014
So this is happening today!! #childrenshospiceweek #herofriday pic.twitter.com/jFpiFstdx0
— Steph Hustwith (@shustwith69) June 20, 2014
Hero Friday marks the end of packed week of awareness raising activities for children’s hospices, which included the launch of a new film by Together for Short Lives demonstrating the theme for the week – We care 24/7.
Jenny, whose daughter, Tilly May, wakes up through the night explains in the film: “When I put Tilly May to bed she has another lot of medication and her feed will go on for twelve hours. It’s just non-stop. I’ll try to go to bed about 1am. But then I’m back up during the night when she’s having seizures. Every single hour, the slightest thing, I’m straight up.”
There has also been a focus on the impact of a terminal illness on siblings. A video diary from nine-year-old Jamie showed us first-hand just how his much sister’s illness affected him and the importance of providing sibling support too. Talking directly to the camera he said: “At school, I actually feel really worried because I don’t know what’s happening at home.”
‘Precious time’
Celebrities and MPs alike have backed the annual awareness-raising week.
Patron Simon Cowell said: “Knowing Together for Short Lives has changed my life and I would urge everyone to please support Children’s Hospice Week.”
And Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington added: “I’m supporting Children’s Hospice Week and all the amazing families, hospices and services who help to care for seriously ill children 24/7. Please be a hero by fundraising for your local service and help families make the most of the precious time they have together.”
At a Westminster event to recognise Children’s Hospice Week earlier this week, Andrew Stunell MP threw his weight behind securing better care for children with life-threatening conditions in Stockport.
“Providers of children’s palliative care offer a vital lifeline to families. Yet commissioning of services, particularly from the voluntary sector, is patchy and inconsistent,” he said.
“Well commissioned and co-ordinated palliative care helps families make to the most of their time together and enables services to develop to meet their needs.”
The MP added that he will be writing to Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and to Stockport Council to discuss the funding palliative care services supporting children with life-limiting conditions – and their families – in Stockport.
To find out more about the events that took place during Children’s Hospice Week visit the Together for Short Lives website.
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