Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young people, which cares for those with life-limiting illnesses from Nottinghamshire, has launched a fundraising appeal as it faces losses of up to £1 million because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Since the start of the outbreak, the charity has suffered a huge dent in its income, and will continue incurring significant losses without donations. Today (19th), Rainbows is asking for people’s help as it launches an appeal
Shortfalls have occurred because Rainbows has been forced to close its five shops across the East Midlands, mass participation events have been cancelled and it is unable to hold any fundraising events. Schools, community groups and companies cannot carry out their regular fundraising and income from legacies and the Rainbows’ Lottery is also down. This year’s Spring Superdraw was cancelled for the first time in its history.
Although Rainbows is not at imminent risk of closure, the long term impact for the hospice, which supports over 450 families, is unknown.
Julie Taylor, Executive Nurse and Director of Clinical Operations at Rainbows, has been a nurse for 31 years. She said: “It’s safe to say I’ve never experienced anything like the impact Covid-19 is having on nursing and care services. For the children we care for at Rainbows and their families, it’s been a desperately difficult and often heart-breaking experience. Children living with a condition that could end their life at any time already have it tough enough; this situation has made their lives immeasurably harder.
“We work to make every day, for every child, the best day it possibly can be – right up to their last. But achieving that has become so, so much harder. We’ve had to redesign every part of our care services and we’re busier now than we’ve ever been. But we’ve lost crucial income and that’s a massive worry for us all.”
The biggest change Rainbows has made is how the hospice building in Loughborough is used. Since the crisis began, Rainbows has been looking after children and young people from Leicester’s Children’s Hospital to help relieve strains on the NHS and nursing them until it’s safe for them to go home.
Kelly and her daughter Abigail are currently staying in the ‘hospital’ half of Rainbows. Abigail is a triplet, born just over eight months ago. Her brother and sister, Isaac and Alesha, are at home. But Abigail hasn’t made it home yet.
Abigail has heart problems and has to be fed tube fed. She’s had three operations but she still needs major surgery to repair a hole in her heart.
“I’d been living with Abigail in the Leicester Royal Infirmary since the day she was born, I haven’t left her,” said Kelly. “They were starting to get us ready to go home and then the virus appeared. I was really worried about being stuck there for what could have been months more, but then they told me Rainbows had a room for us and we could go straight away.
“It’s been just wonderful. The place itself is fantastic, so many facilities and beautiful gardens. But the best thing is the people, they’ve become like family. The nurses are training me to change Abigail’s tubes, to make sure she’s getting enough oxygen and what to do if she has a problem.
“There’s no rush, no pressure. But as soon as we’re ready they’re going to help us to go home and I can be with my three babies all together again, for the first time since they were born.
“Being at Rainbows has completely opened my eyes about what a children’s hospice really is. It’s a wonderful, relaxing, supportive place. It’s such a comfort for me and a comfort to know that Abigail is in the best hands she could possibly be.”
The charity has also extended its bereavement support and counselling to every local family who has lost a loved one, and last month, its At Home Support service was launched enabling Hospice Care Assistants to visit Rainbows families in their own homes. Rainbows is also providing emergency stays for families and end of life care.
“Another important change we’ve made is perhaps the most moving,” added Julie. “Normally, parents whose child dies in hospital can visit them after death in a special room next to the mortuary. But, sadly, these rooms are now needed for those who have lost their battle with the virus. At Rainbows, we have two bereavement suites – self-contained areas where children who die can be laid to rest on a specialist ‘cold’ bed. We have opened these rooms up. Although we weren’t part of their child’s care in life, we can give them a place to be with their child, to grieve and to say goodbye in peace.
“At Rainbows, we rely on donations and fundraising to keep our services running and much of that has disappeared overnight. We’ve received some support from the government but we’re still left with a huge hole in our income. We know times are hard for everyone but we are determined to continue to be by the side of these incredibly vulnerable children, to still make every day the best it can be.”
To donate to Rainbows, visit rainbows.co.uk/donate or call 01509 638049.
