When my little boy faced cancer, ellenor was
there for the whole family — thanks to people
like you.
It was like being caught up in a whirlwind. That’s how I would describe the moment my little boy Charlie — happy, bouncy, cheeky Charlie — was diagnosed with cancer. All of a sudden our world was shaken. Like the swirls in a snow globe, emotions, questions and fears were swirling in every direction.
“There were six doctors in a room, giving us the diagnosis. We were in shock. Nothing felt real. Everything crumbled and day-to-day life just stopped. It broke us.”
At ellenor, your local hospice, their team is here to make sure no one must face the devastation of a life-limiting illness alone.
Your gift can help steady their world. Donate £30 today and help families like mine find the comfort and support they need.
Little Charlie was only four when he was diagnosed. In the early days of his treatment, we spent most of our time in the hospital. But we knew that as soon as he was strong enough, Charlie would be happier at home.
It was this decision that led us to Tina, a palliative care nurse specialist with ellenor.
Palliative care doesn’t always happen in a hospice. A gift of £30 can help a nurse like Tina deliver expert support within the family home.
To reduce the need for injections, Charlie had a Hickman line inserted into his chest, a tube running from his nose to his stomach, and a catheter. It was a lot for such a small person, and keeping Charlie comfortable and his lines clean and dry was a full-time job.
“In the beginning, we put a bed in his room and slept in there with him,” Charlie’s dad explains. “He would wake two or three times a night, just because he was in pain. We went from one day to the next, not really able to think about the future. Getting through each day was hard enough.”
Come rain or shine, Tina was there to help us through.
“Tina was great,” says Charlie’s Dad. “She would take Charlie’s bloods, change his dressings, clean his catheter, and re-insert his nasal tube if it came out. That is, if Charlie hadn’t hidden it first.”
A pillar of support for the whole family, Tina did everything she could to make her visits fun — and cheeky Charlie loved playing hide-and-seek. She also took time to sit with us, answer our questions and made space to just talk.
It’s a friendship that will last a lifetime.
“We are a big huggy family and Tina hugs us all – my mum, my in-laws, everyone. She’s part of the family now.”
There’s a lot to look forward to.
Earlier this year, Tina joined us at the hospital. But not for anything clinical. After months of chemo and radiotherapy, Charlie had gone into remission.
He was ready to ring the bell that signalled the end of his treatment.
That doesn’t mean the team at ellenor will say goodbye. Far from it.
At ellenor, their care continues even after treatment ends – through counselling, play therapy, respite care, and even family days out. They’re here for the long term, because a life-limiting illness doesn’t just impact the person, it affects the whole family. And the road to recovery takes time.
As a family, we are always welcome at the hospice, whether it’s for support, to meet others who’ve faced similar challenges, or to have fun.
“I was worried Charlie would be overwhelmed,” Charlie’s Dad explains. “He was. But in a really good way. Now he’s in remission, we’ve been able to enjoy some really fantastic family event experiences with ellenor. I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done. I know they will be part of our lives forever.”
Your support makes this possible.
Every visit. Every phone call. Every word of comfort. It all starts with people like you.
Every day families in our community receive life-changing news. Your gift of £30 today could be the steady hand they need in a time of crisis.
Thank you for your support & generosity.
Charlie’s Mum
Make a donation today
Every day families in our community receive life-changing news. Your gift of £30 today could be the steady hand they need in a time of crisis
