Latest from Demelza

Men’s Health Week is a chance to prioritise wellbeing. James shares how running, walking and balance help him stay mentally and physically healthy.

Gina and Lesley have been volunteering with Demelza for 30 years, raising funds and awareness since before the hospice was built — a truly inspiring duo!

Demelza is powered by over 1,000 volunteers making a real difference -  like Tony, who helps create peaceful garden spaces for families at our hospice sites.

Over 600 fundraisers took on colourful foam and fun at the first Thanet Bubble Rush, raising nearly £17,000 to support Demelza’s vital care for children and families!

Download and read Demelza's Impact Report 2024-2025.

Jeremy has raised over £36,000 for Demelza by taking on epic challenges and inspiring others to join him - proving the power of purpose and perseverance!

Demelza’s Rochester shop teamed up with MidKent College students to upcycle donated denim into unique pieces - boosting sustainability and creativity for a great cause!

Volunteering at Demelza helped Yeun transition from her family business to a new career in finance, gaining confidence, skills, and a fresh start along the way.

Nearly 30 schools are painting sculptures for Demelza’s Trail with a Tale - a free, family-friendly art trail coming to Tunbridge Wells this summer!

Dying Matters Awareness Week is vital to Demelza as it encourages open, culturally sensitive conversations about death and grief, helping families feel supported and understood.

To mark National Therapy Animal Day, Pets As Therapy dogs Nala and Buddy visited Demelza, bringing comfort and smiles to children and families with their calming presence.

33 runners raised over £110,000 for Demelza by completing the London Marathon - applications to join #TeamDemelza in 2026 are now open!

Demelza is hosting an open afternoon on 24 April in Larkfield to recruit volunteers for its online shop - help raise vital funds through sustainable retail!

Demelza families joined Cheryl Baker to paint a tortoise sculpture for this summer’s art trail in Tunbridge Wells, part of a fun-filled spring event at the Sittingbourne site.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and Demelza is highlighting how small acts of love - like a lift to hospital or a listening ear - can ease stress for families with children who have serious or life-limiting conditions.

Demelza families attended the House of Commons for the launch of What Matters to Me, a project empowering young people with complex needs to have their voices heard.

Download Demelza's latest Annual Report and Financial Statements. 

Demelza’s spring appeal is live - every £1 you give will be doubled, thanks to match funding! Help us make twice the difference for families like Daisy’s.

“Isla was a happy, bright, bubbly five-year-old and the first five years of her life were totally amazing. Sadly, this all changed overnight when she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Within eight months of that diagnosis, Isla was gone.”

This National Heart Month, we hear from Harriet about her son Ethan, who has complex heart conditions and an undiagnosed syndrome, and how they are making the most of every day. 

Children’s author Alex Brooks is creating a magical series of original tales for our Trail with a Tale sculpture trail in Tunbridge Wells this summer. To celebrate National Storytelling Week, we caught up with Alex to find out why storytelling means so much to all of us and how she is supporting Demelza through her stories. 

Children at Demelza SEL can now explore, play and communicate in new ways thanks to Lifelites’ donation of cutting-edge sensory and assistive tech.

Today on Brew Monday we speak to Demelza’s HR Training and Wellbeing Officer to see what you can do on this day and every day to look after your mental health and wellbeing at work. 

At Demelza, we often talk about delivering extraordinary care for extraordinary children – but what do we actually mean by that? 

Demelza earned a Silver Award from Investors in Diversity, recognising its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion through its FREDIE principles.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, we caught up with Victoria Swan, our Creative Therapies Lead, to learn how Demelza’s therapeutic services help children to explore their emotions, learn about themselves and build resilience. 

Supercar enthusiasts from WiseUp Events brought festive cheer to Demelza, arriving in style and donating toys for children at our Sittingbourne hospice.

Millwall Lionesses visited Demelza South East London, gifting presents and praising the hospice’s incredible work with children and families this Christmas.

Businesses and bikers in East Sussex donated over 400 gifts to Demelza, helping create magical moments for children and families this Christmas.

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

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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

Driving to chemotherapy appointments – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month