A leading Suffolk hotel has pledged its support to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Seckford Hall Hotel in Woodbridge, which has recently seen a change of ownership, has nominated EACH to be their chosen charity for 2013.
The hotel launched its campaign on Saturday with the switching on of their fabulous Christmas lights by 11-year-old George Docker, who attends Each’s Treehouse in Ipswich.
George and his family including brothers Sam and Bradley were then treated to afternoon tea and cakes and presented with gifts from Operations Director Mark Suddes.
Mark commented: “The EACH hospice in Ipswich is Suffolk’s only hospice for children and young people, and provides a unique and vital place for children to play, laugh and love life, and where they and their families can be cared for and supported. The charity helps children faced with life-threatening conditions and their families, with sensitive support of the emotional and physical challenges they face, helping them to make the most of a short life.” He added: “The hospice relies on fundraising and charitable donations and as a family business with its roots in Suffolk, sees our involvement in EACH as an ideal opportunity to support our local hospice and its incredible work.”
The hotel is planning numerous fundraising activities during the year as well as treating a family once a month to a special treat at the hotel.
Vanessa Bell, Suffolk Fundraiser for EACH commented: “We care and support children and families across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and here in Suffolk. We need to raise around £5.75 million from public donations to deliver our services in the coming year, which amounts to more than £15,000 a day, every day of the year. We are so grateful for the help of local businesses and thank the team at Seckford Hall for pledging their incredible support.”
There are an estimated 23,500 children in the UK who are not expected to reach adulthood. Caring for a child or young person with a life-threatening illness, often for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, can put a huge strain on family life. Life can become governed by the timetable of nursing and medical needs. Careers may have to be put on hold, healthy brothers and sisters can feel left out and regular family activities and holidays can be rare. During all of this, families are going through a process of grieving.
EACH care teams help children and their families with the emotional and physical challenges they face, helping them to make the most of life.
For more information about EACH visit www.each.org.uk
