Richard House Children’s Hospice, in Newham has provided specialist care for children with complex life-limiting conditions for 25 years.
All the children come from some of London’s most deprived areas, including Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and parts of Barking and Dagenham.
However, the combined impact of the cost-of-living crisis, the pandemic and soaring inflation has had a devastating effect on the hospice’s fundraising efforts.
As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Richard House to meet the unprecedented demand for its services.
Only 29 per cent of Richard House’s funding comes from the NHS, leaving the rest to be raised through fundraising activities.
But with fundraising efforts struggling, the hospice is warning that it could be forced to turn away some of London’s most vulnerable children.
Without urgent support, Richard House says it may have to cut services, leaving families to care for their seriously ill children at home.
The hospice is now urgently trying to raise £1,274,000 by the end of 2025, with £686,000 raised so far.
A generous supporter has committed to match the next £250,000 of donations made, meaning for every £1 donated, £2 will be received, up to £250,000.
Anne Biggs, director of care and family services at Richard House, said: “We have stood beside parents as they’ve faced the unimaginable.
“I have witnessed bravery that takes your breath away – not just from our children, but from their siblings, their parents, and our staff.
“It is both shocking and upsetting that we are now at a point where all this care, this experience, will be unable to meet the increasing demand from families and children within our community.
“To not care for these children would be utterly devastating.
“The service we deliver is truly excellent – and irreplaceable.”
Paul Richards, CEO of Richard House, said: “I’m a bereaved parent, as is my wife.
“My daughter died at 23 weeks and my wife’s daughter died at the age of five.
“It changes you as a person and I have a far greater understanding and greater empathy for the parents I meet day-to-day.”
Children are referred to Richard House by London’s hospitals to benefit from their specialist staff or services.
Some children stay overnight with their families, receiving 24/7 support from the hospice’s expert team, while others come for day visits or a few hours at a time, giving exhausted parents a much-needed break.
Richard House’s specialist nurses and care teams also offer crucial support in family homes across east London.
One of the families that relies on Richard House is Kareema Motala and her son Jayden, 14, from Wapping, who was born with Lowe Syndrome.
Kareema said: “Outside our home, there is only one place that Jayden can go, only one place where we know he will be safe and cared for by people that understand him and his needs – and that’s Richard House.
“The children’s hospice isn’t a ‘nice to have’. It’s an essential part of his life.”
Donations can be made at richardhouse.org.uk/donate.
