Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.  On October 7, 2012, Rory and Chris, two people not generally known for their natural fitness, will be running the Chester Marathon in aid of Claire House Children's Hospice. 

We will be running the event on behalf of Click Consult, who we both work for and who have also taken up the challenge of sponsoring Claire House for a day by raising £6,500.  It is an incredibly worthy cause, and any money we are able to raise will go on to provide children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses with a fantastic quality of care.  We aren't asking for a lot; whether it is £1 or £100, rest assured it will be making a huge difference to the quality of life a child can enjoy.

You can follow our traning progress for the Chester Marathon here!

So, here's a bit more about Claire House Children's Hospice:

Respite:

Living with a life threatening or life limiting condition is draining on a child or young person. And equally as draining on their parents and families. Claire House offers a sanctuary for children, young people and their families, allowing them to forget about the daily routine and simply enjoy themselves.
Children and young people can spend time at the hospice on their own, with our expert team of nurses and cares on hand. This allows their families a much needed rest from their role as carers and gives parents a chance to enjoy a holiday together, visit friends or for a brother or sister to have Mum and Dad’s undivided attention.
Claire House also has accommodation for parents and siblings so the entire family can be together and have a holiday at the hospice. Our staff are always on hand to help, which means a family can enjoy a meal without having to worry about medication, or for brothers and sisters to play in our hydrotherapy pool together; something they simply couldn’t do anywhere else.
Claire House is a home-from-home environment for children, young people and their families. We often arrange trips and days out; visiting the beach or the zoo or taking the older children shopping. In the evenings, the young adults may go to the local pub to enjoy a drink; a normal activity for people their age. The children and young people are always surrounded by friends at Claire House.
Caring for children and young people in an emergency is an important part of what we do  and we’re on hand to help if a family emergency occurs and it becomes difficult for the family to fulfil their role as a carer.

Children and Young Person’s Palliative Care:

Our approach to care is an active and total one, encompassing physical, emotional, social and spiritual elements. Our complete focus is on enhancing the quality of life for our children, not only through caring for them as an individual but providing support for the whole family.
Many of our children and young people live in the knowledge their time may be limited; our aim is to make the most of that time through expert palliative care, as well as creating memories and experiences that last a lifetime.
And as our care extends to families, we aim to give a better quality of life to anyone affected by a life-limiting or life-shortening condition.

End of Life Care:

When the time comes, we work alongside families to make a child’s last days as comfortable as possible, caring for them either in the hospice or their own home.
Our Butterfly Suite is a wonderful, tranquil place of rest, where families can spend time together in a private space, giving them time to reflect. There for families for emotional support, the hospice also provides practical help with funeral arrangements and registering the passing of a child.
We work in partnership with a variety of expert teams across our local area and have access to the Specialist Paediatric Care Team based at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
Medical cover is provided by four dedicated GPs who attend the hospice on a daily basis and as often as needed. The needs and wishes of the child and their family are treated with the upmost respect and importance during all decision making.
The Butterfly Suite is also available in  unexpected bereavements for children who have never previously used the hospice.

Hospice To Home:

Hospice To Home is a home-based service providing specialist respite, palliative and end of life care and support to children and young people and their families within the family home.
The specialist team bring all the benefits of the hospice environment into the familiarity of the family home. For more information on Hospice To Home call 0151 334 4626.

Bereavement Support and Counselling:

There is no time limit on grief and loss affects each of us in different ways.
That’s why our counsellors are available to families for as long as is needed. Children, young people and their families can benefit from individual sessions with our counsellors, or may wish to discuss their feelings and experiences in a group. Claire House offers a tailored counselling service to suit the individual’s needs and we provide counselling for parents and extended family through to carers and siblings.

Alternative and Complimentary Therapies:

From music therapy and hydrotherapy through to reiki and Indian head massage, as part of Claire House’s complete and total approach to care, we offer a wide range of alternative and complimentary therapies for our children and young people and their families.