Christmas Campaign Brings Festive Joy to Families Facing Hardship

Our Christmas Campaign, which ran from 3 November to 1 December, was a tremendous success. During this period, we supported 12 families with children who were facing the impact of a life-changing illness, accident, or medical condition within the household. These families were experiencing significant financial hardship, making the festive season particularly challenging.

Through the Foundation, we were able to ease that burden by providing Christmas presents, gift vouchers, and food vouchers—helping to lift the stress and bring joy back into their celebrations. Together, we helped bring the sparkle back to Christmas.

Here are some of the families whose lives were touched by your generosity.

Eadie’s Story

Eadie is under the care of a palliative team due to a serious heart condition and relies entirely on PEG-feeding. Her mum is unable to work as she provides full-time, round-the-clock care, and the family faces ongoing financial struggles.

Eadie’s mum told us how much the vouchers meant, saying they truly made a difference during an extremely difficult time. She shared how deeply appreciated it was to be nominated for support, especially as the family works hard to make precious moments—like Eadie’s birthday and Christmas—truly special.

Dean’s Story

Dean, now 13, underwent surgery and chemotherapy when he was just eight years old and has since been diagnosed with further health conditions. Last year, he required additional surgery, placing further strain on the family both emotionally and financially.

With both parents heavily involved in Dean’s care, Christmas can be a particularly challenging time. This year, we were able to support the family with gift vouchers and a food voucher to help ease some of the burden.

Hazar and Jad’s Story

Hazar is a single parent of four children while also managing her own health issues. Her eldest, 13-year-old Jad, sustained a brain injury in a road traffic accident in July 2024. Since then, the family have experienced trauma, isolation, and more recently, the devastating loss of the children’s grandmother—a key source of support.

Feeling unable to organise Christmas on her own this year, Hazar told us that the Foundation’s support made a meaningful difference to her family’s festive season.

Maddy’s Story

Maddy was previously fit and well before being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and receiving a mechanical VAD at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2023 while awaiting a heart transplant. Complications led to an ischaemic stroke, leaving him with significant physical and cognitive impairments.

Maddy’s mum is a full-time carer to him and his three siblings, including a younger brother with additional needs. The family face social isolation, overcrowded housing, and limited access to transport, all while managing complex care demands.

Maddy’s dad shared his heartfelt thanks, saying the gift card was a wonderful surprise and that he couldn’t wait to spend it on his child. Our support helped bring some joy and relief to the family during a very difficult period.

Thank You

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us make a real difference to families when they need it most.