Gift a magical moment this Christmas
Your gift.
Their magical moment.
Every second counts for terminally ill children and their families.
Some of the families at Helen & Douglas House may only have days or even hours left with their child. It’s vital we can fill their time with as much happiness and joy, laughter and light as possible because it won’t be long before all they have is memories.
Please gift a magical moment this Christmas. Your generosity will be a gift they’ll never forget.
What magical moments will you gift this Christmas?
£5
could gift materials for an unforgettable arts and crafts session.
£10
could gift the ingredients needed for a festive baking session.
£25
could gift a kick-about in our hospice garden for football-mad children.
£50
could gift noisy fun at a music therapy session.
£100
could pay towards the gift of a visit from some magical animal friends.
A gift that families will never forget
Read about magical moments from the hospice, only made possible by the generosity of supporters like you.
Mince pies & twinkling lights
George came to the hospice for end-of-life care. He was extremely unwell, and we knew this would be the last Christmas he and his family had together. We decorated his room, stringing up fairy lights and wrapping tinsel about his bed. Tea and mince pies were waiting for his family – we knew they wouldn’t have had anything to eat or drink for some time.
George’s mum, Sandie, said:
“Seeing how Christmassy George’s room looked was really special. In hospital everything had felt so clinical but, at Helen & Douglas House, it was like coming home.
George was able to experience some of the magic of Christmas – and I’ll never forget how his eyes lit up when he saw the twinkling lights.”
The Glitter Queen
Five-year-old Mia was born with a genetic condition that has gradually robbed her of the ability to walk and talk. She can’t feed herself and relies on a wheelchair to get about. Mia’s mum, Marie, is her sole carer – and Helen & Douglas House is the only place Marie feels comfortable leaving her beautiful little girl.
During one of Mia’s visits in the run-up to Christmas last year, we got the arts and crafts out. And you should have seen the mess – because Mia is the glitter queen!
Surrounded by feathers and paints, cotton wool and the all-important glitter, we helped Mia make a Christmas card for her mum. She’d never been able to do that before because crafting is out of the question at home – Marie’s got enough on her plate.
Although she can’t speak, we could see what an amazing time Mia was having. Her eyes were bright, and she was giggling happily.
When Marie came to collect Mia, she couldn’t believe how full of life her daughter was and she was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the Christmas card Mia had made. Marie held it to her chest like she’d never let it go.
A brother's festive footie match
James had a brain tumour and was referred to us for specialist palliative care. He was 15 years old and football-mad! By the time he came to Helen & Douglas House one December, it had been months since James had played the beautiful game. He’d been in and out of hospital, undergone countless tests and procedures, and was in constant pain because of his cancer. James felt like he’d lost a piece of himself.
That changed when we organised a kick-about in our accessible hospice garden.
With our nurses on standby to help James manage his pain and symptoms, James scored goal after goal against his little brother. Our support enabled the boys to have fun and do something they’d always loved to do. There was banter and laughter – in that moment, James was a child and brother, not a dying patient.
*Case studies represent the experiences of children at Helen & Douglas House. All names have been changed.