South West Builders Support the Siblings of Life-Limited Children

Monday 17th October 2011 - For Immediate Release 

Staff at Little Harbour were delighted to receive a cheque from The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) South West Charitable Fund as they awarded CHSW a grant of £41,000 to the hospice this week. The money has been donated to cover the build, fit out and furnishing costs of the sibling workers office at CHSW’s new children’s hospice, Little Harbour, Cornwall.

The FMB South West Charitable Fund have previously supported CHSW and awarded £35,000 in 2006 to CHSW’s Somerset based hospice, Charlton Farm. The grant for Charlton Farm was also for the build and fit out of the sibling workers office and we are delighted that the FMB has continued to support CHSW in this way at Little Harbour.

CHSW operates three hospices across the South West region, Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm near Bristol and Little Harbour in St Austell. The care that CHSW offers is for the whole family, and bespoke sibling support is a vital part of the service that we offer to families with life-limited children.  The sibling team, who will work in the new office, will provide dedicated care and support to the well siblings of life-limited children visiting the hospice with their family. The sibling team will organise activities and trips during the week, special weekends where siblings can stay at the hospice without their family members for a weekend of planned activity, and will provide support and care to siblings during end of life care and into bereavement.

Members of the FMB took a tour of the hospice as they visited the room that they have supported through their grant. The sibling office is situated at the heart of the house and will be a hub and hive of activity for the well siblings and the dedicated sibling team.

The generous donation was received by Co-founder and Chief Executive Eddie Farwell
“The sibling support aspect of our service is vital. From my personal experience of caring for two sick children alongside their well sibling we understand how siblings can often feel isolated and parents torn between meeting the varying needs of all their children. When families stay with us, we offer parents an opportunity to sleep in, or venture out for the day, or perhaps simply take a long bath safe in the knowledge that their sick child is being cared for, along side their well siblings. The sibling workers office is often a haven and a safe place for well children to talk about their fears or worries or simply have fun with the dedicated sibling team. We are grateful to FMB for their donation to support the sibling team in their journey with our families”

Ken Farnham, Chair of the Federation of Master Builders (South West Region) Charity Fund, said:
“I am very pleased that the FMB is able to support Children’s Hospice South West’s Little Harbour. The hospice is doing great work and makes a real difference to the lives of children living with life-limiting illness and their families. The facilities here are fantastic and help reduce the difficulties faced by the children. I hope this will not be the end of the FMB’s involvement with the worthy cause of Little Harbour.”

As Little Harbour prepares to open its doors to the first families this December, supporters are welcome to visit the building and see what their support has achieved. Open days run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 4pm with additional dates on two Saturdays  - November 12th and December 3rd.  To book a visit day, call Little Harbour reception on 01726 871800 or email opendays@chsw.org.uk.

To find out more about Children’s Hospice South West and Little Harbour visit ww.chsw.org.uk