• Martin House Children’s Hospice supports families in North, West, and East Yorkshire who are navigating the challenging journey of caring for a child with a complex, life-shortening condition

• Glow Together is a family walk and activity event which took place in Boston Spa, the home of the hospice, on Saturday 14 October at 6.30pm

• Martin House is a place where happiness can coexist with medical care

• Jenny, David & Kat all played a part in volunteering – running the refreshments stand as well the doughnuts stand half way round

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people facing complex life-shortening conditions? One way to do so is by volunteering at Martin House Children’s Hospice, a remarkable charity based in Wetherby, North Yorkshire, that’s why we at Claritas Solutions support them and have started our fundraising efforts in 2023 to raise £10k over 2 years.

Martin House Children’s Hospice is a beacon of hope for families in North, West, and East Yorkshire who are navigating the challenging journey of caring for a child with a complex, life-shortening condition. Every year, this incredible organisation provides support to over 425 children, young people, and their families, along with more than 150 bereaved families. The care extends to the hospice, hospitals, and even the comfort of the families’ homes.

Light up the night for Martin House Children’s Hospice by taking part in its family-friendly event Glow Together.

Glow Together is a chance to have fun together and make some special memories, families are encouraged to get their glow sticks and neon accessories at the ready to light up the night to support the hospice. Claritas’s Jenny (Marketing Manager), David (Solutions Architect) & Kat (Social Media Executive) all chipped in to run the refreshments stand with the wonderful Judith with Robyn & Phil on hotdogs! Taking over £300 of donations on the night we believe – handing out refreshments on what was a very chilly night! The rocky road certainly went down well!

There was a fully accessible walk through the village, with a hunt for glow in the dark displays, which did include specially decorated neon posters created by children and families using the hospice.

It all culminated in a party with a sparkling tepee, firepit and lots of tasty treats and activities.

Supporting Martin House: Fundraising and Getting Involved

Kat echoed the sentiment of many other volunteers on the night ‘The services offered by Martin House are nothing short of exceptional and volunteering is just one small way of us playing our part in making a difference to peoples’ lives.’

Martin House is a place where families can encompass planned stays, emergency and symptom control stays for when a child’s health fluctuates, end-of-life care, and compassionate support after a child’s passing. This care extends to cooled bedrooms for the child and bereavement support for parents, siblings, and grandparents. Martin House is a place where happiness can coexist with medical care. Families visiting the hospice can enjoy home-cooked meals and a plethora of activities, including sessions with music therapists, playtime, arts and crafts, and organised trips. It’s a home-away-from-home that combines a warm, familial atmosphere with expert medical and nursing support available 24/7.

The Role of Volunteers at Martin House

Jenny commented ‘Supporting in the capacity of volunteering is great fun – not only do you meet the fantastic team at Martin House, you also know that you are doing something amazing to help such a worthwhile cause.

The bonds you create with fellow volunteers, you become part of a warm, supportive community, and you know that you are making a significant impact on the lives of children and young people facing life-limiting conditions.

It ensures that Martin House Children’s Hospice can continue providing the care and support that these families desperately need.’

To donate to our fundraising efforts visit our Just Giving page – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/claritas-solutions

For more information about Martin House Children’s Hospice and how you can get involved, visit their official website: https://www.martinhouse.org.uk/.