Poignant family messages form the basis of this year’s EACH Christmas Appeal

“Without the generosity of people who support the charity, the care and support we receive wouldn’t be possible. This is our way of saying thank you.” Three families who receive care and support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) have shared heartfelt messages for the charity’s Christmas Appeal.

Their poignant words will form the basis of an online appeal and social media campaign, as well as appearing on cards that will drop through hundreds of letterboxes across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

One of those to help is the family of Connie Price, (on the left in photo above) who has a rare and complex lung condition called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).

The ten-year-old, who was diagnosed when she was three, particularly enjoys art therapy and loves spending time at The Nook – EACH’s hospice in Norfolk.

Mum Jane, a headteacher from Harleston, said: “Connie receives the most wonderful care, and we were happy to help with EACH’s Christmas Appeal.

“To be honest, that care and support has been a lifeline, and we get help with things I wouldn’t otherwise know where to start with.

“The hospice has become a safe space for us all, and life would certainly be much harder without EACH.

“Connie enjoys art therapy and clearly feels comfortable at The Nook. When she walks in, it’s like she owns the place – like it’s her hospice – and all of us, as a family, have benefitted from EACH’s support.

“We’re so grateful to the care team but also to all those supporters who give generously to make this possible.”

The Suffolk version of the appeal is being spearheaded by Rita Abdulkader, whose 11-year-old son, Abed, receives care at The Treehouse, in Ipswich. The family live in Bacton, near Stowmarket.

Although his condition has not been diagnosed, he has a range of complex health needs, including the fact he cannot walk or talk. He feeds through a tube and depends on round-the-clock support from Rita and husband Jalal.

“Abed enjoys music therapy, the sensory room and being in the pool for hydrotherapy,” said Rita.

“The Treehouse is somewhere he feels included, and it’s about focusing on the things he can do, rather than the things he can’t.

“EACH has helped us find activities and opportunities we can do together, and the staff have offered such amazing support.

“We know that without the generosity of people who support the charity, none of this would be possible. This is our way of saying a heartfelt thank you.”

The Christmas Appeal message to Cambridgeshire supporters has been written by 15-year-old Frances Carpenter, who has Muscular Dystrophy and lives near Peterborough. She has been receiving care at Milton since 2021.

She said: “As well as enjoying short breaks, I’ve developed a passion for art therapy, and it’s become an important way of conveying my thoughts and emotions – feelings I might find hard to explain.

“It clicked straight away, and I’m very proud to have some of my artwork on display at Milton.

“In addition to sessions online, I enjoy spending time at the hospice and find art therapy calming. It helps me zone out and gives me something to focus on.”

To make a donation to EACH’s Christmas Appeal, here or head to www.each.org.uk/xmasappeal24

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“EACH is a place I’d recommend to any parents in our situation. Not just for the care delivered, but because it’s somewhere children play and have fun, where their medical needs are a priority but the children feel that living life is an equal priority”

We rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income and this year need to raise £7.5 million from donations and fundraising activities and £8.7 million in retail income. We only receive 15% of our income from the government, county councils and the NHS.
Our supportive care for babies, children, young people and their families is all-encompassing. If required, this life-long support includes specialist nursing, therapies and ongoing wellbeing care through all the ups and downs.
Depending on a family’s needs and wishes, we can provide care in one of our hospices, in the family home, in hospital or in the wider community. This ensures every family receives care somewhere they feel safe and comfortable.
Our range of services is comprehensive, for both bereaved and non-bereaved families, and includes expert nursing care and short breaks, symptom management nursing, family activities and events, physical therapies, wellbeing, care at end of life, bereavement support and practical help in the family home.
Our hospices are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. They are fun, happy and homely places for children to be children, and a dependable, supportive and restful space for families to be families. Parents and siblings are involved and supported throughout.
We work together with families and other care professionals and have a reputation for excellence and working collaboratively, sharing skills and expertise within our teams and in partnership with healthcare colleagues across the sector.
EACH provides employees with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families. To find out more about current vacancies and working for EACH, head here.
EACH Royal Patron – HRH The Princess of Wales.
For more information about EACH, including forthcoming events and how you can help raise funds, visit www.each.org.uk or call our fundraisers on 01223 800 800.
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