Demelza calls on supporters to help ensure charity can be here for next 30 years

Like many children’s hospices across the country, Demelza is operating in an increasingly difficult financial environment.

Rising costs, inflationary pressures, increased employer National Insurance contributions, increased demand for services and challenging fundraising conditions have created significant pressures across the sector.

To counter these challenges, Demelza has been looking at ways to diversify income and develop new ways to strengthen our long-term sustainability. This has included looking at how we can best utilise our buildings and facilities across all three sites and how these can support service delivery. We have also been working harder than ever to engage local communities.

Demelza relies on its incredibly generous and supportive communities, which provide 84% of the income needed to deliver specialist care and support to children with serious or life-limiting conditions, and their families.

Looking at innovative fundraising approaches, expanding our programme of community and seasonal events and growing our events income are just some of the ways we are working to secure Demelza’s future.

Our ongoing summer match funding appeal allows our amazing supporters to make twice the difference. Thanks to the generosity of the Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation, all donations up to £130,000 will be matched until Sunday 13 September.

This innovative appeal isn’t just about online donations - if you see us out in the community and pop some money into one of our buckets, if you donate by rounding up your purchase at the till in one of our shops or if you take part in one of our events this summer – every pound you spend will be doubled. You can even organise your own fundraiser and that money will be matched too.

We have plenty of exciting community events planned for the rest of this year, including our Kent Family Fun Day, pumpkin patch, a range of runs and challenges and of course our packed Christmas programme.

This year for the first time we’ll have a Santa Paws grotto for your furry friends as well as our usual Christmas grotto and we’ve got our Celebration of Christmas carol concerts in more locations than ever.

Demelza’s Deputy CEO, Hayley Richardson, said: “We are embracing innovative fundraising approaches and looking at ways to ensure our long-term sustainability, but we need the help of our remarkable communities to achieve this.

“Every pound donated and fundraised, every event attended and every item bought in one of our shops all help raise vital funds to keep our services going for the families who need us. 

“Our new programme of events is designed to bring people together to have a good time and support Demelza, the children’s hospice that’s at the heart of these communities.

“Now more than ever, we need people to get behind our amazing charity - whether that's by making a donation, supporting our match funding campaign, volunteering, attending an event, becoming a corporate partner, organising a school or community fundraiser, shopping in one of our charity shops or donating high-quality items for resale, every contribution helps ensure Demelza can continue providing vital care and support. 

“Demelza has been there for children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families for almost 30 years. We are determined to be here for the next 30 years too, and that will only be possible with the continued support of our incredible communities, supporters, volunteers and partners."