The Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge took part in a joint video call with three of their children’s hospices patronages to mark Children’s Hospice Week.
In the video, Camilla and Kate were joined by Eddie Farwell, the co-founder and CEO of Children’s Hospice South West and Clare Periton, CEO of Helen & Douglas House, both Camilla’s patronages; and the Delf Family, a family whose son received end-of-life care with the East Anglia Children’s Hospices, one of Kate’s patronages.
On the call, Camilla praised the work of children’s hospices during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying: “We’d like to thank everybody that works for hospices across the UK for the incredible job you do and allowing families to treasure their moments together.”
She also praised the nurses and carers who look after children in hospice care, saying that they are “the most wonderful people” that “inspire happiness.”
Kate added that the work of children’s hospices is “extraordinary” and said: “It’s a credit to the staff that they can provide the environment, the nurturing space for those families to help them go through long- or short-term care. It’s really awe-inspiring.”
The Duchesses discussed the “comprehensive care that hospice staff provide, and the way that children’s hospices are able to create positive environments and happy memories during the most difficult times,” according to Clarence House.
Both executives at Children’s Hospice South West and Helen & Douglas Home said that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a new agility in terms of providing care and meeting the needs of families.
The Delf Family told Camilla and Kate about their experience with EACH, and how being on lockdown due to the pandemic helped the family to grieve and grow closer as a unit following Fraser’s death earlier this year.
Their son, Stuie, also spoke about his fundraiser for EACH that has raised £15,000 since May, which was inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s fundraiser for the NHS.
Children’s Hospice Week takes place 22-28 June and is organised by the Together for Short Lives charity to raise funds for the 54 children’s hospices located in the United Kingdom.
