16 May 2011
Keech Hospice Care will be hosting a week of superhero themed activities for the children in its care this week in celebration of Children's Hospice Week (14-21 May 2011).
The hero inspired week is part of the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for children’s hospice services.With the theme of heroes the charity week will celebrate local children’s hospices which, just like superheroes, are there for people when they need them most.
Jennie Collier, who organises the day care service Keech provides, explained how the service runs and how it will be transformed with the hero theme next week: “Our aim is to bring in children who predominately don’t attend school and provide them with opportunities to participate in educational projects and specialist play. We often have outside visitors come in to run activities with the children but next week will be extra special. There will be a musical activity, a hero puppet show and a chance for the children to make superhero cakes. To finish the week in style we’ll be holding a superhero dress up day on Friday.”
Emily Hannan is just one of the children who will be taking part in the fun at Keech next week. Emily was born with a very rare genetic condition called Cardio Facio Cutaneous (CFC) Syndrome.
At 12 years old, Emily, from Lidlington in Bedfordshire, has a number of defects in her heart, some distinctive facial features associated with her condition and a growth impediment. She suffers with a very low immune system, a type of seizure which can happen at any time, skin conditions like eczema as well as lots of very serious allergies. She can walk only a short distance before she gets breathless and has spent much of her young life in and out of hospital. Emily is due to have another round of surgery in 4 weeks to improve her eyesight where surgeons will take some of the ligament from her leg to use in one eye in which she is currently blind.
Her mum and full-time carer, Trisha says; “When you think about a place like Keech and its purpose and then actually see what goes on there day by day, it is nothing like you would expect. It’s a real home from home and everyone there takes the time to get to know your child really well. You don’t get that anywhere else.
“When I bring Emily to day care or when she’s stayed over at Keech she’s been really happy. She loves it there and I think the friendly atmosphere makes it a similar experience for her as a child going along to nursery or pre-school. But for children like Emily it’s also a safe and protective environment where they can receive the special care they need.
“Coming to Keech has really brought Emily on with her development and socially. She knows so many people there and, importantly for me, I know I can leave her there, walk away and not worry. We’d be completely lost without them.”
Staff and children at Keech are now calling on local businesses and schools to be a hero and help fundraise during Children’s Hospice Week or set up a fundraising plan for the weeks ahead. There’s lots of ways to get involved, from holding a superhero dress up day at work on Friday to organising and hosting a hero themed ‘Tea at Three’ gathering for friends and family in June.
“Children’s Hospice Week is a great opportunity for people to fundraise for their local children’s hospice.” said Fundraising Director, Jacqui Shepherd. “The care teams at children’s hospices like Keech are just incredible. They are truly dedicated to helping children who are not expected to reach adulthood and their families to make the best of the time they have together. For Children’s Hospice Week we very much hope to see lots of local heroes across our community dedicating just a bit of their time to raising money for Keech.”
To find out more about the many ways you can get involved with Children’s Hospice week or help fundraise for Keech in the weeks ahead visit www.keech.org.uk/chw or call the fundraising team on 01582 707940.
