A trip to Santa together is something many families who use Martin House wish for. But it can be impossible for those families who have a child with a life-shortening condition. Many wish they could attend a carol concert without needing the security of being close to a hospital — just in case. Families wish the excitement of Christmas was the only thing keeping them awake at night. Some wish their child could see this Christmas.
Christmas Day itself is often disrupted or cancelled, overshadowed by illness, emergency hospital stays, or, for some families, the reality of their child dying on Christmas Day.
Many families rely on the specialist care we provide to their children. We are here, providing free, specialist care and support 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day. We don’t stop or reduce our services just because it’s Christmas.
The children and young people who come to Martin House, have life-shortening and complex medical conditions. Many of the families don’t know how long they will have with their child, that’s why we are determined to make every moment that child has with their family, as happy and as joyful as possible. Christmas is a very important time for many of the families. We don’t know how many Christmases a family will have with their child, and so, we do everything we can to create beautiful, magical moments during the festive period, that families will treasure forever, long after their child has died.
Will you grant our wish and help us to make every Christmas count?
Please donate today, you will be helping a child not only receive vital, specialist care, but a family to make memories they will cherish forever.
Creating magical memories
To understand just how important it is to create memories – especially when it may be a family’s last Christmas together with their child, please keep reading to learn more about these precious moments from families.
We also want to share with you, memories from our incredible staff who play a vital role in ensuring families are able to create memories they will cherish, long after their child has died.
“We knew Mareyah was special, she was an amazing little girl. She brightened up everyone’s day.”
Sonya, Mareyah's mum
“We never know if it’s going to be Alayna’s last Christmas, so being able to enjoy Christmas at Martin House means so much to us."
Sophie, Alayna's mum
“We want to make sure that even when they are unwell, families can still have the special Christmas they deserve.”
Dr Michelle Hills, Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
“My Christmas wish, is for every child to experience the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus, just like any other family.”
Richard Chew, Maintenance Operative
“Every minute matters that little bit more, if you have a child with a life-shortening condition.”
Vicki Greensmith, Director of Clinical Services
“My Christmas wish is that families are able to find some joy, in what can be an incredibly difficult time.”
Charlotte Walker, Deputy Director of Clinical Services
“It’s a really unique experience, the family Christmas party, where families go away feeling like they’ve had a Christmas experience.”
Steve Lawman, Deputy Director of Clinical Services
We don’t stop or reduce our service just because it’s Christmas – we are here 365 days a year, 24/7 for families when they need us most. So, if a child becomes seriously unwell or is facing the end of their life at Christmas, we can still be there to support families through the darkest of times. Please help us to raise vital funds this Christmas.
£10 could help to keep our phone lines running, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So, that families can call us anytime they need us.
£30 could help to pay for a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, for a family staying at Martin House to enjoy together.
£50 could help bring the magic to our family Christmas party, helping to fund those extra little touches and activities that make it so special.
Thank you to our Christmas appeal sponsor HARIBO. They have pledged to match fund your donations up to £20,000, so more of the money we raise helps us create more special Christmas memories for families.
