The annual campaign From That Moment – now in its fourth year – won a film industry award for Noah’s Ark hospice earlier this year with a documentary about a little boy from Haringey who died just before his first birthday.
This year’s appeal starts on September 1 with a virtual ‘Step-tember’ challenge to hit 90 miles during the month — whether you walk, run, cycle, wheel, swim, hop or skip.
A film made during the 2024 campaign that won a ‘highly recommended’ trophy in the ‘Brand Film’ awards earlier this year followed the lives of Ingride Gomes and Ciaran Corcoran “from that moment” when their world turned upside down. Their son Callum was diagnosed with a brain tumour soon after birth.
The couple from Haringey came to Noah’s Ark for end-of-life care in 2023 — but Callum sadly died on March 5 that year at just 11 months old.
Callum has his own memorial bench at the hospice and an ornamental butterfly in its sensory garden.
The fundraising appeal goes towards the annual £7m running costs of the High Barnet-based hospice, which takes referrals from across north London.
A ‘Glitz and Giving’ evening on September 20 will feature DJ Melvin Odoom on the decks and magician Stephen Barry with a close-up magic routine from which one audience member will walk away with a diamond that’s been donated. Tickets are £80.
“Last year’s programme was amazing,” Melvin said. “It raised lots of money for Noah’s Ark, a cause that’s close to my heart.”
Well-wishers can also do their own fundraising like a quiz, a run, a bake sale or anything out of the ordinary — with every £ raised matched by Noah’s Ark corporate backers. Companies can also hold their own step-counting ‘Walking Nine-to-Five’ challenge.
Noah’s Ark chief executive Sophie Andrew said: “We’ve looked to our community for support as the need for our services grows and costs rise, to make every moment matter for seriously ill children and their families.”
The hospice provides palliative care for 350 children a year who have life-threatening or limiting conditions. It also provides activities “to make the most of every day” to be children rather than patients.
Families are referred to Noah’s Ark from five London boroughs — Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington, as well as neighbouring Hertsmere.
