Tŷ Hafan is asking you help create a Christmas to remember for some families who could be spending their last one all together.
A donation, however small, will help give life-limited children, young people and their families a Christmas to remember.
Tŷ Hafan is also asking people to leave a Christmas Star message of support to the families. All the stars received will be displayed at the hospice.
Kimberley
Tŷ Hafan opened over Christmas for the first time in 2008 to provide care and support to a family whose daughter became extremely ill in the couple of weeks just before Christmas.
Kimberley Jenkins had severe cerebral palsy and relied on her family for the 24/7 care she needed. In the summer of 2008 she caught a bacterial infection which would have been serious for a healthy person but because of her vulnerability it just took hold and she began to deteriorate quickly.
The family were referred to Tŷ Hafan and Kimberley and her mum Maria went to stay there with other members of the family visiting when they could.
Although her daughter was so very ill Maria recalls that despite everything, 2008 was their best ever Christmas.
“I woke up that morning to find the staff had sneaked in during the night to put stockings up for Kimberley and me. They cooked us Christmas dinner – the first time I’d had one cooked for me since I could remember. In the afternoon Joe came in with our other kids and the staff had even gone and bought a little gift for each of them.
“We all stayed together that afternoon, just like any other Christmas. We played games and opened presents – I even had a glass of wine !
“Kimberley died just two weeks later but I always have the special memory of that last Christmas we spent all together”.
So last year Tŷ Hafan decided to stay open again for other families in a similar situation. But it comes at a cost which, with your help, can make a world of difference.
Visit www.tyhafanstar.org or ring 029 2067 2060 to make a donation and leave a message of support for families making the very most of Christmas 2010.
