ellenor launches its Children’s Hospice at Home appeal at Knole

Fifty people gathered at Knole in Sevenoaks – the beautiful home of the Sackville family - on Thursday 13 October, for an exclusive reception hosted by Lord and Lady Sackville. The specially invited guests came to hear more about the services that hospice care charity, ellenor, offers and to learn about the launch of the charity’s Children’s Hospice at Home appeal.

“I had no idea of the range of care ellenor provides to terminally ill children across Kent and I was particularly taken by the fact that care is provided in the family home,” said Lord Sackville. “I can not imagine being in the situation that these families face, to know that they have the support of ellenor is such a huge relief to parents, grandparents and all those involved.”

ellenor’s Chief Executive, Claire Cardy, explained that the charity is currently facing two big issues – there are many more children in Kent which would benefit from its care and support; and demand for its services is increasing year on year. ellenor is now caring for around 75% more children than it did ten years ago and it expects this trend to continue.

“At ellenor, it is our vision that all families facing terminal illness receive the best quality, personalised care and support,” said Claire Cardy. “It’s a big vision; this is something all of us at ellenor are so passionate about. The thought of any family having to face life with their child terminally ill, unable to access our care, is a hard one for us to accept.”

ellenor’s Children’s Hospice at Home appeal was introduced to guests by a member of the appeal board, Amanda Cottrell OBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. She explained that ellenor aims to raise £1.5 million over the next three years through this appeal – to enable the charity to grow its team of specialist nurses and carers and, in turn, reach more families.

“I am joining ellenor, in helping ellenor to meet its vision – that ALL families facing terminal illness receive the best quality personalised care and support,” said Amanda Cottrell. “We shall work together to raise the £1.5 million, whether this be through organising fundraising events, making personal contributions or inviting others to join in the vision.”

She added: “As a group, we will be leaving a lasting legacy that will impact hundreds of precious young lives for many years to come.”

For more information about how you can contribute to ellenor’s Children’s Hospice at Home appeal, contact Director of Income Generation, Rachel Holweger on tel: 01474 320007 or email: Rachel.holweger@ellenor.org