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Children’s hospice appeals for Christmas community support
A Bristol-based charity, that supports children with life-limiting conditions, has launched an appeal to bolster its efforts during the festive season.
Jessie May Children’s Hospice has called for the Bristol community to help ensure no family caring for a seriously ill child faces the festive season alone.
This December, the hospice-at-home charity plans to support 30 local families, providing essential nursing care and moments of joy at home – a service costing around £32,300 to deliver.
One family benefiting from Jessie May’s support is the Fenns.
One family benefiting from Jessie May’s support is the Fenns
Their two-year-old daughter, Fenn, lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition requiring constant medical care.
While many children look forward to mince pies, pantomimes and visits from Santa laden with gifts, Fenn’s parents, Wendy and Harry, face a festive season shaped by their daughter’s life-limiting condition – and supported every step of the way by Jessie May.
Since being referred to the charity, visits from nurse Lois have become an essential part of family life, giving Wendy and Harry peace of mind and the chance to enjoy everyday “small” moments.
“It’s been life-changing,” said Wendy. “Before Jessie May, I couldn’t leave Fenn with anyone. Now I can go to yoga, have lunch with my husband, or just breathe, knowing she’s in safe hands.”
One moment that stands out for Wendy happened in the garden last summer.
“I looked out and saw Fenn fast asleep in Lois’s lap. It was so peaceful. That trust, that bond – it means everything.”
Jessie May’s hospice-at-home model allows children to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, avoiding stressful hospital trips and helping families create special memories.
This December, the hospice-at-home charity plans to support 30 local families, providing essential nursing care and moments of joy at home – a service costing around £32,300 to deliver
This Christmas, the charity hopes the community will help fund this care, allowing families like the Fenns to celebrate the season with joy and inclusion.
Nurse Lois added: “Christmas can be emotional for the families we support. We try to bring a little magic – whether that’s festive crafts, a visit to see the lights, or simply giving parents a moment to relax. For children like Fenn, it’s about joy and inclusion. And for us, it’s a privilege to be part of those memories.”
For more information or to sponsor a family, visit Jessie May’s Christmas Appeal 2025 at www.jessiemay.org.uk/christmas-appeal-2025
All photos: Jessie May
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