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Latest from Demelza

News, blogs and family stories - discover what's been happening at Demelza.

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Person in red sweater kneels and reads 'WHY, OH WHY, AM I A CROCODILE?' to two children on a red chair.
News
Children’s author reads Demelza’s annual Christmas story

Children’s author Alex Brooks visited Demelza to read The Night Before Christmas, continuing our festive tradition and delighting families at Sittingbourne.

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Group singing in front of a large Christmas tree in a town square. Some wear Santa hats. 'Demelza' charity banner on the ground.
News
Christmas shoppers enjoy festive carolathons in aid of Demelza

School children raised £3,330 for Demelza by singing carols across Kent, East Sussex & SE London in joyful festive carolathons.

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Six people in matching grey football training outfits sit and stand around a red couch in a decorated room with children's toys and artwork.
News
Charlton Athletic players visit Demelza South East London

Charlton Athletic players brought festive cheer to Demelza South East London, meeting families and raising smiles during their annual Christmas visit to the hospice.

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Large congregation seated in a grand cathedral with vaulted ceilings during a service. A lit Christmas tree is visible on the left.
News
Canterbury Cathedral hosts charity’s 20th annual Celebration of Christmas event

Nearly 1,000 people attended Demelza’s 20th Celebration of Christmas at Canterbury Cathedral, raising £24,000 through festive music, readings and heartfelt stories.

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Woman stands outdoors wearing blue blazer, light blue top, and green Demelza lanyard. Background includes greenery and structures.
News
Demelza CEO celebrates 25 years with charity

Demelza CEO Lavinia Jarrett celebrates 25 years with the charity, marking a journey of growth, passion, and dedication to children’s hospice care.

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Colourful rabbit sculpture wearing a painted vest with "Trail with a Trail" and "Demelza" text, and trainers, sitting on a grassy field.
News
Kent schools and community groups invited to design sculpture

Schools and community groups in Kent are being invited to sign up to choose, design and keep a sculpture as part of an art trail coming to Tunbridge Wells next summer.

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Seven people stand in front of a building with a 'demelza extraordinary care for extraordinary children' sign and bee decorations hanging from the roof.
News
Dean of Southwark visits Demelza South East London

Demelza South East London welcomed Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark, for a tour and festive visit ahead of the annual Santa’s Grotto for supported families.

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People holding lit candles in a dimly lit setting, with soft, blurred lights glowing in the background.
News
Iconic venue hosts Demelza's Celebration of Christmas event

An iconic Greenwich venue hosted Demelza’s Celebration of Christmas, raising over £8,000 through festive music, readings, and heartfelt support.

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Smartphone showing 'demelza now on Vinted' with clothing images, placed on denim fabric background with colorful shapes.
News
Demelza launches shop on online marketplace Vinted

Demelza is one of the first charities to launch a Vinted shop, expanding its successful e-commerce efforts to reach more supporters and boost sustainability.

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A person with red hair wearing a black dress with white polka dots holds an award in their left hand. They are standing in a room with a floral-patterned carpet and other people in the background, some engaged in conversation. A banner in the background reads "QNI." The person's name tag says "Donna Mole QNI Queens Nurse."
News
Demelza nurse awarded Queen's honour

A Demelza nurse with more than 30 years’ experience has been awarded the Queen’s Nurse title to recognise her commitment to patient care.

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Candles and wreath from memory event
Blogs
National Grief Awareness Week | Supporting loved ones through grief

As the festive period and celebrations begin, some families may be preparing for their first Christmas without their child. Psychotherapeutic Practice Manager Jennie tells us how Demelza offers support during challenging times and what everyone can do to be there for someone who is grieving. 

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Quote from Peta, a Demelza volunteer, with the words "you cannot take the pressure or stress away from having a poorly child, but it is the satisfaction that you are trying to make their life a little bit easier which makes it worthwhile."
Blogs
Practical support | Meet volunteer, Peta

Meet Peta, one of our dedicated practical support volunteers who lends a helping hand to families supported by Demelza. Read how she fits volunteering into her life and why she chooses to give up her time.

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Festive outdoor display with a large twig-and-light reindeer with red bow beside a smaller lit reindeer. Tree and fence in background.
News
Demelza Festive Elf Trail and Market raise thousands

Hundreds of people came along to Demelza's Festive Elf Trail and Market at the weekend, helping to raise vital funds.

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Two people stand in front of a banner reading 'The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children Who Need Palliative Care' with logos for 'APPG' and 'together for short lives'.
News
Demelza CEO speaks at APPG for children who need palliative care

Demelza’s CEO was one of the key speakers at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for children who need palliative care last week.

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Person holding a young child; a donkey decorated with red and gold tinsel is visible in the background.
News
Demelza launches Christmas appeal

Christmas is a magical time for all children but for those living with serious or life-limiting conditions, the memories they make with their families this year will be extra special.

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Santa in Demelza grotto
Blogs
Creating magical moments at the Demelza Christmas grotto

At Demelza, our aim is to make every hope or wish a reality, especially at Christmas time. One way we do this is by creating an accessible Christmas grotto for families to enjoy. 

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Artist with works of art outside Demelza shop
Blogs
World Kindness Day | Spreading joy and going the extra mile for Demelza

In celebration of World Kindness Day, we are sharing an inspiring story of a remarkable volunteer who has gone above and beyond for Demelza behind the scenes. 

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Orange and white fireworks burst in the night sky above the dark silhouette of trees.
News
Demelza family launch fireworks at Tunbridge Wells Christmas event

A Demelza family were the star guests at a magical Christmas event in Tunbridge Wells.

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Two people hold clothes on hangers in front of an orange 'DEPAUL Homelessness' banner, with clothing racks on each side and orange balloons above.
News
Demelza teams up with homelessness charity to provide clothing to young people

Demelza has teamed up with a youth homelessness charity to provide clothing to young people thanks to a mutual relationship with a corporate supporter.

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Two people standing outdoors beside a colourful "Demelza Hospice Care for Children" sign, surrounded by greenery and trees.
News
Kent MP “overwhelmed” at the support offered by Demelza after visit

Kent MP Sir Roger Gale has said he is overwhelmed by the support offered at Demelza and its dedicated team of staff and volunteers after a visit this week.

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Two-story brick building with 'Demelza' sign and colorful graphics. Side panel promotes ways to support. Yellow railings lead to entrance.
News
Demelza launches newest shop and distribution centre

Our newest shop and distribution centre has been opened in Larkfield this morning by Rosemary Stapley, who was first in the queue.

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Trustees with family
Blogs
Trustee Week | Championing parent carer voices

This Trustee Week hear from Charlotte Parry-Jones about her dedication to Demelza and how she utilises her knowledge and experiences in her role as a parent carer trustee. 

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Person in navy uniform places medal on man in suit during formal ceremony in ornate room with gold decor and red and gold  chairs.
News
Demelza trustee knighted at Buckingham Palace

Sir Richard Douglas has been knighted by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace to recognise his service to the NHS.

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Quote from volunteer Mike about helping families with transport; includes colourful shapes and a photo of Mike and a Demelza transport van.
Blogs
Practical support | Meet volunteer driver, Mike

Meet Mike, who has been providing support for our families as a volunteer driver for the past three years. Learn how he became a volunteer and why he chose to give up his time to support Demelza.

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Scenic golf course with two golf carts on a path, a "Demelza" flag nearby, and a pond with a fountain under a clear blue sky with surrounding greenery.
News
Generous Demelza supporters raise thousands at the London Golf Club

The London Golf Club chose Demelza as its Charity of the year for 2024 and has held two fundraising days, raising over £66,000.

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Image of PAT dog Bella
Blogs
World Animal Day | A best friend in Bella the Demelza therapy dog

On World Animal Day we are shining a light on Bella the Cavachon, whose life is dedicated to making Demelza families smile in her role as a therapy dog. Bella’s owners Janet and David recognised that from a pup, Bella had a lot of love to give. 

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Ahmed and Jackie hugging while playing with toys on the lounge floor at Demelza South East London
Reports
Quality Accounts 2024-2025

Download and read Demelza's Quality Accounts 2024-2025.

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Brothers together outside
Family stories
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Fundraising in memory of Zak

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we are bringing you Zak's story and the amazing fundraising challenge his family have done to keep his memory alive.

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Image of grief awareness quote creative
Blogs
National Grief Awareness Day | Keeping our loved one’s memory alive

This Grief Awareness Day, Demelza’s Psychotherapeutic Practice Manager Jennie shares more on grief and how our remembrance events allow family members to keep their child’s memory alive. 

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Images of King Charles III banknotes with charity logos below, including WWF, Samaritans, and Demelza. Auction totals and highest bid amounts are displayed.
News
Bank of England auction off new notes in support of Demelza and other charities

The Bank of England held a fantastic event to auction off notes in support of ten amazing charities, including Demelza! 

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Two-story brick building with 'Demelza' sign and colorful graphics. Side panel promotes ways to support. Yellow railings lead to entrance.
News
Demelza to open new distribution centre and one of their biggest ever charity shops

A fantastic site has been secured in the heart of Larkfield for a new distribution centre and one of Demelza's biggest charity shops yet.

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Man in a suit cutting a decorated cake on a table inside a tent, with flowers and other people visible in the background.
News
Demelza Hospice Care for Children pays tribute to Founder President, Derek Phillips

We are deeply saddened to learn that Derek Phillips, Demelza’s Founder President, has died aged 83.

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Mum and son with xmas decoration
Family stories
Fenton's story

How Demelza's care makes a real difference 

Mum Sharon shares why the care from Demelza is so important and how this helped her switch off from being a carer for the first time in nearly 16 years.

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Young person in pool with family
Family stories
Lily's story

Here at Demelza, our teams work with our families to support those transitioning to adult care.

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Family standing with sign
Family stories
Henry's story

Demelza's support doesn't waver when the unimaginable happens 

We are here to support families through the toughest of times and beyond, providing support however it is best needed. This Children's Hospice Week, parents Sam and Hua share Henry's story.

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Child in Halloween costume
Family stories
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Chris’ volunteering story

Driving to chemotherapy appointments – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 

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Dad and son sat together on sofa
Family stories
Finley's story

Finley first came to Demelza's Kent hospice when he was one, and now returns every year for short breaks.

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Liam enjoys music at Eltham, smiling broadly with a drumstick in hand and a guitar resting on his lap.
Reports
Demelza's five-year strategy 2022-2027

Our five-year strategy focuses more than ever before on Demelza’s history of actively seeking the views and feedback from those who are the real experts: the children, young people and families we support.  

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