Welcome news for Children’s hospice, Richard House Children’s Hospice, today as a brand new charity partnership launches between HR and employment law specialists Peninsula Group and children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives. The partnership will run for three years, until March 2027, with the goal of raising £1 million to support the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, including Richard House.

Together for Short Lives, the UK’s children’s palliative care charity, will work alongside Peninsula Group’s two other chosen charity partners, DEBRA UK and Air Ambulances UK, to raise funds and awareness for Richard House Children’s Hospice and families facing the heartbreak that their child will die young in East London and beyond.

Richard House offers a range of services, including Respite Care, Hospice-at-Home, Bereavement Counselling, Music and Art Therapy, Sensory Play, Family Trips and Activities, and End-of-life care. These services provide a safe space for the children to be their authentic selves, explore new possibilities, and build friendships. It becomes a haven for the parents who bravely care for their children, offering them the assurance that their child is in safe hands. Our overarching vision is to create communities where families can navigate the challenges of life together, creating enduring memories of both living and facing life’s end.

Children’s hospices are increasingly reliant on fundraising to continue providing vital care to families. Some services receive as little as 5% of their funding from the NHS, and with the cost of living crisis increasing the costs of delivering care, this generous support from colleagues at Peninsula Group will go towards ensuring that hospices remain an essential lifeline for families.

Colleagues from across the business will show their support through a range of fundraising activities, including marathons and quiz nights. Following the launch, our partnership will focus on celebrating the crucial work of children’s hospices during Children’s Hospice Week 2024, taking place from 17 – 23 June. This dedicated campaign week raises funds for, and awareness of, the UK’s lifeline children’s hospices. Additionally, colleagues from Peninsula Group’s local office will visit Richard House Children’s Hospice, to see first-hand the positive impact they are making on families in need of palliative and end-of-life care.

Dina Jobson, Director of Fundraising, at Richard House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are grateful for the partnership between ourselves, Peninsula Group and Together for Short Lives. The fundraising achieved will help us spread the message that we’re not just a Children’s hospice, we’re a source of hope, a community of love. We are here to offer boundless support and unwavering care to children battling life-limiting health conditions and their families. We are the first Children’s Hospice in London and work hard to provide essential services like Hospice at Home, Respite Care, Family Support and end-of-life care. But it’s not just about the essential services, the focus is on children being able to enjoy life so we do sibling days, family outings, sensory activities and so much more to put a smile on their faces.”

Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives, said: “Children’s hospices depend on donations to provide the essential care and support that they offer to families across the UK. From respite care, specialist therapies, and sibling support, to complex medical treatment like symptom management and end-of-life care, they support families every step of the way through diagnosis, care, bereavement and beyond.

“That’s why the support from Peninsula Group is so vital. We are so grateful to be one of their three chosen charities, and their support will help us make sure seriously ill children and their families get the best care and support they need today, tomorrow and into the future, so they can make the most of every precious moment they have together.”