THE Wanted’s Tom Parker is pleading with public to show their support to local hospice charity ellenor.
Singing sensation Tom, who enjoyed success with the platinum-selling boy band, is calling on fans to make a donation during national Children’s Hospice Week (11-17 May) so it can provide care to local families facing terminal illness.
ellenor is the only charity in the county to provide hospice care for seriously ill people of all ages – whether a newborn baby, child, teenager, adult, or elderly person in the final moments of their life.
An important part of ellenor’s work is caring for over 150 children with life-limiting and life-threatening condition across north and west Kent and the London Borough of Bexley.
Its Children’s Hospice Care team, formerly known as chYps, is the only charitable service in the county to provide end-of-life, cancer and respite care to seriously ill children in the comfort of their own home and consistency of support for teenagers who later require care as adults.
The 26-year-old from Petts Wood recently visited the charity with his long-term girlfriend actress Kelsey Hardwick to meet staff, volunteers and some of the families it supports.
Tom, who is also an avid DJ and guitarist, said: “I was humbled to meet children supported by ellenor. I visited a respite group for young patients and their siblings, which gives parents and carers a much-needed rest. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to have a sick child, but with the support of ellenor, my local charity, families can have precious moments together.
“Please make a donation today, however big or small, so ellenor can continue to provide the best care and support to families facing terminal illness.”
Children’s Hospice Week, 11 – 17 May, is the UK’s only awareness raising and fundraising week for children with life-limiting conditions and children’s hospice services that support them
On Friday 15 May, ellenor is also encouraging local businesses, schools and groups to wear their comfy clothes as part of its Pyjama Friday Funday in exchange for a donation.
Rachel Holweger, Director of Fundraising at ellenor, said: “We’re so grateful to have the support of Tom and Kelsey. It was a very exciting day when they came to visit and to see them raise so many smiles.
“We can only continue to provide vital hospice care to seriously ill babies, children and young people through the generosity of our local community. We hope people can make a donation, however big or small, for families facing terminal illness.”
To donate £3, please text ECHW15 £3 to 70070. For other ways of supporting ellenor, visit www.ellenor.org or call the Fundraising team on 01322 626504.
Keep ellenor in your timeline on Facebook/ellenorcharity and twitter @ellenorcharity
For patient help and information, please call 01474 32007.