On 17th September some of the team from Helen & Douglas House met with Captain Sir Tom Moore and his family when they officially launched The Captain Tom Foundation. We were delighted to meet them and to be able to announce that Helen & Douglas House will benefit from the Foundation’s support.
In summer 2020 Captain Sir Tom united the nation and gave hope when it was needed most. Carrying on his journey, and as a result of the unprecedented support he and his family have received, The Foundation has been set up to continue to inspire people and ensure Tom’s message of hope becomes an enduring legacy. Captain Sir Tom and his family identified causes close to their hearts as beneficiaries of the newly formed Foundation and we are pleased to tell you that our children’s hospice, Helen & Douglas House, was one of four charities selected.
From left to right, Nadia (Rayyan’s mum), Clare from Helen & Douglas House and Captain Sir Tom and his family.
Clare Periton, CEO of Helen & Douglas House, met with Captain Sir Tom and his family said ‘I am thrilled that Helen & Douglas House has been selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Captain Tom Foundation. Captain Sir Tom Moore has been an inspiration to all of us this year and we look forward to working with the Foundation to raise vital funds to help us care for local terminally ill children and families facing the unimaginable loss of a child’.
‘This year our income has been significantly affected due to the temporary closure of our charity shops during the lockdown and the cancellation of many fundraising events due to social distancing guidelines. We hope that people will continue to support Captain Sir Tom Moore to help us to care for families in their darkest days and give them hope for the future’.
As a charity, we have continued to care for local terminally ill children and their families throughout the pandemic providing vital care to families both at the hospice and also increasing the amount of care at home that we are able to provide, when it hasn’t been possible for them to come to the hospice. We have adapted the way we deliver care so that we are able to continue to keep our children safe, pain-free and out of hospital, as far as possible.
Nadia Slatch, whose son Rayyan (pictured above with Dr Emily) is currently cared for by the hospice, also attended the launch of Captain Tom’s new Foundation said ‘Helen & Douglas House have been wonderful during lockdown providing 24-hour help over the phone and acute symptom management during difficult times, this has helped us immensely and meant we have avoided admitting Rayyan into hospital. The Helen & Douglas House outreach community team were equally reassuring when I needed advice, especially as they were unable to visit at home during lockdown. Not only did they provide symptom care, but we were also hand-delivered lovely hamper boxes which made a huge difference to our family when we were shielding and needed basic supplies. I am always grateful for everything, but the pandemic proved that Helen & Douglas House are always there for us.’
If you wish to make a donation to help us continue to care for local children and families click button below, or alternatively support us by shopping with us in our re-opened charity shops, take part in some of our NEW online events or even create your own fundraiser. Keep an eye out for more news from The Captain Tom Foundation.