More young children than ever need the support of North Devon Hospice, when someone they love is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. No child should have to go through this alone, which is why the hospice’s Living Through Loss appeal is raising funds to meet this surge in demand locally.
Nine-year-old Max Willmer has one simple wish: more time with his Nana. After Rosemary Willmer, Max’s grandmother, was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, dark days followed and the future felt unimaginable. But then North Devon Hospice stepped in, and everything changed.
“If it wasn’t for the hospice, I don’t know if my Nana would be here,” says Max. “So I’m just really thankful that I get to spend time with her.”
North Devon Hospice has transformed Rosemary’s outlook – both physically and emotionally – so that she’s able to make the most of every single day despite her life-limiting illness. The special family sessions at the hospice have been key to this, helping children make special memories with their loved ones, while understanding and coping with the tough times to come.
Time with our loved ones is the most precious thing in the world, and that’s what the hospice’s current ‘Living Through Loss’ appeal is fighting to protect, for families across North Devon.
The charity is asking the public to donate now, with a target of £50,000 by the end of March. This will fund more bereavement counselling, support groups, art therapies and specialist emotional support for children and their families.
The Willmers are one such family who’ve benefitted from all of this support. Rosemary’s daughter Claire describes it simply: “It’s a home-from-home for us now. It’s such a welcoming environment. The boys get to spend time with other children going through the same thing. It can feel very isolating and confusing for young ones, but the team just make everything feel normal, and we can make the most of our time together.”
Rosemary herself is a testament to the difference that support can make. “This is not a place where you come to die,” she says. “It’s somewhere that you learn how to live. I was very low after my initial diagnosis, but it’s been a couple of years now and North Devon Hospice have helped me get to such a positive place, where I look forward to every day and make the most of every moment.”
That transformation speaks to a growing and urgent need across North Devon. Hospice counsellor Jo Palmer, who specialises in supporting children and young people, says demand has never been greater. “We are caring for more patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s than ever before. Sadly, more local children and teenagers are being left to navigate life without a parent. Your support will ensure that no young person has to face that grief alone.”
The Willmers know this better than most. “Please do consider supporting this appeal,” says Claire. “It will help so many people like my mum and Max to make fantastic memories and remember how to live.”
Donate today at northdevonhospice.org.uk/livingthroughloss
Every donation funds counselling sessions, group activities and tailored support. Families like the Willmers can be wrapped up in North Devon Hospice’s care from the moment a loved one is diagnosed, and for every step of the journey that follows.
