Claire House launches annual festive fundraiser

Wirral siblings Lucy, Mia, and Rhys Hughes visited Claire House Children’s Hospice earlier this month to launch the charity’s annual festive fundraiser, Christmas Hat Day.

Taking place on Thursday, December 5, Claire House are asking local businesses, schools and community groups to wear festive hats and raise vital funds for their local children’s hospice. Every penny raised will ensure that Claire House can be here for local families this winter.

Lucy, 10, Mia, nine, and Rhys, eight, have been supported by the care team all their lives, since older brother Ryan died aged six in 2015. Ryan received respite and end of life care at the hospice, and the family now receive bereavement support, with the siblings attending events with other children who have lost a brother or sister.

Mum Sharon Pascoe, from Leasowe, said:

“When Ryan passed away, he was able to stay in the Butterfly Suite until the day of his funeral. We were able to stay in the family room, it was so nice to be able to be so close to Ryan.

“At the time, his sister Mia was just three weeks old. Claire House looked after us all. Without Claire House, I’d have found it hard to cope. The team helped with practical things, like arranging the death certificate, helping with funeral arrangements and making sure we ate.”

The Butterfly Suites at the hospice in Bebington are bedrooms where a child can stay as an alternative to a funeral home after they have died.

Sharon, who is also mum to Nathan, 14, added:

“Since Ryan passed away, Claire House have continued to support the family. The children are invited to planned activities, trips and residential breaks throughout the year, including an easter egg hunt, overnight stays at Claire House Liverpool, and a fishing trip. They all had so much fun and made friends with other children who they can relate to.”

The siblings were excited to wear Christmas hats and help the hospice launch Christmas Hat Day.

Events Fundraiser Mark Pearson said:

“Christmas Hat Day is a fun, easy way for the local community to support the hospice this Christmas. The idea was inspired by Claire Cain, who was the inspiration behind Claire House – when she was having chemotherapy, she would wear funny hats to cheer everyone up.

“It’s amazing that today, over thirty years later, the local community are taking part in Christmas Hat Day, so our care team can be here to support siblings like Lucy, Mia, Rhys and Nathan. It was great to have the siblings help us the launch the fundraiser – they were having so much fun, which Christmas Hat Day is all about!”

Mum Sharon continued:

“Claire House makes a huge difference for families. Without Claire House, I don’t know where we would have got the support that we needed. They were there for us and Ryan and they are still here for our family nine years later.

“Christmas Hat Day is such a fun activity! It doesn’t have to be expensive as hats can be made which only makes them even more special. It’s supporting such a great cause so Claire House can continue to help more families like mine.”