Claire House Children's Hospice: A decade of helping families

Jun 1 2009 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

CLAIRE House was the first English children’s hospice to open 10 years ago, helping 15 to 20 children and their families cope with the strains and heartbreak of long-term illness.

The charity now serves 300 youngsters, providing invaluable care, support and facilities.

Denis Mahony, who has chaired the hospice in Clatterbridge, Wirral, since its infancy, is proud the charity is celebrating such a milestone. “The quest to open the hospice began in 1989, when there was a dedicated children’s hospice did not exist in England,” he said..

“In 1999 the original building opened, with six beds and three rooms for families.

“But demand grew all the time, and still is growing.

“There are now 10 rooms for patients and five for parents.

“It is an amazing organisation to chair, our employees and volunteers do a fantastic job.”

One such woman is 78-year-old Olwyn Jones, who has been a volunteer for the charity along with her husband Ron since 1991, years before the hospice became a reality.

Her grandson, Sam, died at the age of three after suffering brain damage at birth.

The family were shocked at the lack of provision for both him and them.

Mrs Jones, from Wallasey, said: “We were a very small group at the start, so it is wonderful to see how much the charity has grown.

“As a volunteer I help to fundraise for the charity.

“The general public help to whatever extent they can, but corporate funds are more difficult to attract now.

“I am very proud of what the charity has achieved.”