The fear of not knowing how many more Christmases we had with Thomas was devastating. Somehow we got through it, then Shooting Star got in touch. We were invited to spend a weekend at the hospice as a family and it was the most magical place for both Thomas and Estella, Thomas’ big sister. Thomas was no longer walking, and he couldn’t see, but the saddest thing for us was that he’d lost his ability to smile and to laugh; that was very hard. But at the hospice, you could see the contentment on his face.
"They were our light in a very dark tunnel"
Be a light in the darkness for families facing unimaginable grief this Christmas.
could pay for a hand and foot cast giving families a precious keepsake to remember their child by.
could pay for Christmas lunch for a family staying at our hospice for end-of-life care over the festive period.
could pay for a specialist counselling session to help bereaved parents like Claudia and Gareth.
Any amount you can give will help us support more families facing unimaginable heartbreak this Christmas.
could help our family support line stay open, providing advice and support by phone or email to families who need our help.
could support the work of our hospice nurses, caring for children and families at our hospice 24/7
could help our symptom management team provide expert medical care to children with complex medical conditions, easing pain and helping them avoid having to go into hospital.
Claudia – Thomas' Mum
Support following a devastating diagnosis
As well as providing specialist 24 hour care for Thomas, we supported his family with a range of practical and emotional support, including counselling sessions for his parents and siblings days for his sister Estella, while the family came to terms with his diagnosis.
Thomas' story is far from unique
544
Children with life limiting conditions were supported by Shooting Star this year.
15,134
face-to face and telephone contacts made to families this year.
258
Families accessed our specialist bereavement care (a 47% increase on last year)
87
Nights our bereavement suites were in use this year.
25 years of care
In 1999, we launched our Community Nursing team in Surrey – a service dedicated to providing care and support to families in need. That year, 35 families were supported. Now, 25 years later, we are still providing nursing care at home and in hospital, and our service has grown to include overnight care at our Guildford hospice, symptom management and specialist bereavement care for families living across Surrey, south-west London and north-west London. Over the last year alone we have supported 993 families. It’s only because of incredible supporters like you that we have been there for families in their darkest hours for the last 25 years. Thank you.
Estella
It really helps being in an environment with people who understand what you’re going through. It makes me feel like I’m not alone. It makes me feel happy.
Estella talking about our bereaved siblings’ days, where she can make friends with other children in similar situations.
How you can make a difference
£25
could pay for a hand and foot cast giving families a precious keepsake to remember their child by.
£35
could pay for a wonderful Christmas lunch for families staying at our hospice over the festive period.
£50
could pay for a specialist counselling session to help bereaved parents like Claudia and Gareth.
Be a light in the darkness this Christmas
Please support Shooting Star so that more families like Thomas’ can get the care they need.