Children’s Hospice Week (15–21 June 2026), led by Together for Short Lives, is the UK’s only annual awareness week dedicated to supporting children and young people who are seriously unwell, and their families.

The purpose of the campaign is to celebrate precious moments by highlighting how hospices are vibrant, joyful places that go far beyond medical care, offering therapies, family support, and opportunities to create lifelong memories. It also aims to dispel common myths by reframing children’s hospices as places of light, life, and love rather than sadness or loss. In addition, it draws attention to ongoing funding challenges, emphasising that children’s hospices rely heavily on public donations and require sustainable, long-term financial support.
With 76% of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice income coming from voluntary donations and fundraising, every contribution plays a crucial role in ensuring that more children and families can access specialist care and support when they need it most. This support is especially vital at a time when the children’s hospice sector is facing an estimated £310 million funding gap. As a result, nearly 91% of children’s hospices (in England), including Noah’s Ark are operating at a deficit, placing increasing pressure on services and highlighting the urgent need for long-term, sustainable funding. Demand for hospice care is also rising significantly, as the number of children diagnosed with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions continues to grow. Across its catchment area, an estimated 5,700 children may now be eligible for the support provided by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, underlining both the scale of need and the importance of securing the future of this essential service.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice has supported Michael and Maria Palmer, from Enfield, and their three daughters, Arabella, aged 7, Amelia, aged 10, and Isabel, aged 4, since January 2025 after Arabella was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic B-Cell Leukaemia. The family regularly attend family and sibling groups and events and Arabella receives Music and Art Therapy. Arabella is now in the maintenance phase of her treatment, which ends in November 2026.

This year, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is celebrating 20 years of providing outstanding care and support to children with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions, and their families. To reach more families like Arabella’s, the charity is inviting the public to donate £20 to help secure its future.

Sophie Andrews OBE, CEO of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice said: ‘During Children’s Hospice Week, we’re proud to mark 20 years of care at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. At a time of rising demand and significant funding pressure across the sector, we’re calling on the public to help ensure this vital support for children and families can continue.’