Some of you may have heard of Grace House North East Childrens Hospice, some of you may not, so here is a little bit of information on this very, very worthwhile charity (taken from their website)

"As you read this, there are probably about 1,000 families in the North East region coping with the most devastating news any parent can hear. Their much-loved child will not live to be an adult. For some, death will come in weeks, for others it may be some years. Whatever time left is precious and a children's hospice can help make the most of that time, providing expert medical help and professional care, but also giving emotional support and practical help, allowing the whole family to enjoy the good days and share the bad ones

At present the North East has the lowest number of hospice beds for children in the whole country

Grace House North East Children’s Hospice Appeal will provide a home from home for very sick children from across the North East, from the Scottish Borders to Teesside. It will provide support for their siblings and parents and respite and terminal care. A team of dedicated professionals offering the most up-to-date medical skills and palliative care. Support that is geared to the needs of the whole family; physical and emotional. Help that will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year…continuing into bereavement for as long as is needed.

The purpose-built, eight-bed hospice will be self-contained with bright, homely rooms for children and accommodation for whole families. It will provide a much-needed addition to existing services, giving parents a break, a chance to share their time with other children in the family as well as the gravely ill. A chance to talk about their fears and complex emotions, facing up to a future which can never be what they had hoped"

You can see more on the charity at the GRACE HOUSE website

Grace House have produced a DVD detailing the reasons behind the appeal and the work that needs to be done. I will gladly forward this to anyone who wishes to learn more about the charity, but be warned it is very emotional.

To support this appeal, my company (Game Fishing Supplies Ltd), Hardy and Greys Ltd and Fish and Fly Ltd, have decided to adopt the charity for the next two years and are holding the 'Fishing With The Stars' celebrity fly fishing event this year.  Last year, we raied over £5700 for the charity.  This year we want to raise more!!

I know that given the current economical climate, fundraising for charities can be very difiicult and all we are asking is that if you are able to support us in any way, both the companies involved in running the event and, more importantly, Grace House will be very, very grateful for any support given no matter how large or small

I would also like express my thanks on here to Richard Sanderson (MD, Hardy and Greys Ltd) and Richard Hewitt (MD, Fish and Fly Ltd) for supporting us in this event, it is very much appreciated.