Virtual Shine winter 2025

Welcome from Olivia

Our welcome for this edition comes from Olivia, who is part of our fundraising team.

“As a Community Fundraiser at Shooting Star, I’m constantly inspired by the incredible ways people come together to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families, and families who have been bereaved. I work with businesses, schools, clubs and many other community members to support them to do what they love while raising money for us. This edition of Shine reflects how strong the power of community can be, from the joyful mural created by local art students to our teams sharing specialist bereavement care with other hospices. A heartfelt thank you to Gwen and her family who’ve shared their journey with us. By challenging themselves in so many ways towards a shared goal, they have inspired others to turn compassion into action. To all reading this edition, thank you for being part of this incredible community.”

Latest news

Our first summit

This autumn we are thrilled to be hosting our first National Child Death Summit – addressing inequalities in bereavement care for families who experience the sudden and unexpected death of their child.

Learn more

Art from the heart

A beautiful, fantastical piece of art has appeared on the walls at our Guildford hospice, Christopher’s, thanks to a collaboration with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Farnham.

Bridging the gap in perinatal palliative care

Across Surrey and south-west London, a pioneering initiative is reshaping how palliative care is delivered to babies born with a life-limiting condition. Sinead Summers, Perinatal Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at Shooting Star shares how the initiative has become a vital bridge between neonatal, maternity, hospice and community services.

Gwen's story

From the very start of her life, Gwen faced more than most – spending her first 10 months in hospital. But as mum Gwen explains, she hasn’t let that stop her living life to the fullest.

Features

A look inside our new film

Describing the care we provide isn’t easy – because it’s not ‘one size fits all’. Every family’s journey is unique, and our support evolves with them. Creating a film to try and capture the full impact of our wide-ranging clinical and holistic services, through a single story, was a real creative challenge – yet one we set ourselves to reach more children and families that need us.

Watch our film

A day in the life of our Safeguarding team

At Shooting Star, no two days look the same for the Safeguarding team. Their work is unpredictable, emotionally intense and deeply human. But through every shift, one constant remains: a commitment to supporting families. The team, made up of five social workers, with over 40 years of experience between them, work closely alongside our care teams to provide vital support to families navigating unimaginable challenges.

Fabulous Fundraisers

Shooting Star Corporate Cup scores!

Lots of money was scored at the second annual Shooting Star Corporate Cup, as 16 teams from across our incredible corporate partners laced up their boots to play in the tournament, raising £13,850.

Making every cuddle count

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and a grant from the Community Foundation for Surrey, a new cuddle bed has officially arrived at Christopher’s!

Fantastic fundraising in memory of Harrison

In memory of former pupil, Harrison, Manorfield School, alongside his parents, Mike and Carina, have taken on epic challenges – raising an astounding £24,972.51.

Trim-mendous challenge

Annette Wheeler, a teacher at Heathfield Junior School, decided to shave her head in front of the whole school in memory of former pupil, Maya, who was supported by us. Annette raised £2,598.

Pitch perfect

A local team has been renamed Wren Football Club, in honour of a child supported by us. Wren’s father, Zak, is a regular at his local football ground in Reigate and often holds fundraising events – most recently raising an amazing £1,079, while proudly wearing a special Shooting Star kit.

Get involved

The Knit Before Christmas

‘Tis the season to stitch (almost!). Join us for our wool-derful October challenge – knitting daily to create some Christmas novelties to help us raise vital funds.

Sign up today

Get some 'brand' new clobber!

Did you know we have an online store with lovely Shooting Star branded items? Why not show your support and look fabulous at the same time!

Shop 'til you drop

Feeling lucky?

For just £1 a week you can play the Tuckwell Chase Lottery for a chance of winning up to £1,000.

Play the lottery

Call out to ambassadors

Do you enjoy chatting with local groups and sharing inspiring stories? Our Community Fundraising team are always on the look-out for Volunteer Community Ambassadors.

Volunteer with us