Journalist and co-presenter of TV’s Location, Location, Location Phil Spencer, patron of Kent charity, ellenor, has made a private visit to ellenor Dartford.
During the visit Phil enjoyed meeting and interacting with children aged 0-17 years all of whom have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, together with their families. He also spent time talking to the Children’s Hospice Care Staff.
Many of the children ellenor cares for have complex medical conditions which often lead to physical and learning disabilities, communication difficulties and many have other complicated symptoms such as pain or epileptic seizures which have an enormous impact on their daily lives. Other children and young people that ellenor care for have a diagnosis of cancer. All of the children and families receive support from ellenor to live as normal a life as possible, helping them to make the most of family life, education and social activities. Many attend the family drop-ins, held during school holidays giving parents and carers a chance to meet other families, to exchange experiences and share some mutual support and fun.
Rebecca Scalzo, Head of Children’s Hospice Care said: “We were delighted to receive a visit from Phil. The team were pleased to have the opportunity to tell him about the work we do and the families enjoyed meeting him and telling him about their own experiences. It is lovely to have support from people like Phil, who is a great ambassador for ellenor”.
Music Therapy and Play Therapy is available for the children and young people, which help them to express their fears and worries, and to make sense of their feelings. Counselling is available for the whole family as well as Complementary therapies. These services can be provided in the sanctuary of the family home, or in other community settings.
Phil Spencer said: “Visiting the children and families was a fantastic opportunity to see and hear first-hand about the invaluable work ellenor does to support the local community. The dedicated Children’s Team play a hugely important role helping families through one of life’s most difficult journeys. I am delighted to support them as a Patron and hope that I will be able to assist the caring and committed staff at ellenor to raise awareness of their invaluable work”.
As a charity, ellenor is reliant on the generosity of the local community and must raise over £7 million every year to maintain the ability to deliver specialist care at what is such a difficult time for those in need. It is crucial that more funds are raised to provide that care as one child, or young person is referred every week and demand for the children’s hospice care at home service is increasing week on week.
To find out how you can support ellenor, please visit www.ellenor.org or contact Kate Barnes – Area Fundraising Manager on 01474 320007. Keep ellenor in your timeline on Facebook/ellenorcharity and twitter @ellenorcharity.