While most people are buying presents, decorating their Christmas trees, and preparing to watch festive school shows, the reality of Christmas for a family with a seriously ill child is very different.

Family Support Workers at Momentum will be there for families in hospital and at home this Christmas, ensuring that no one has to cope alone. They will be available throughout the festive period to support families in London, Surrey and Sussex who have a child with cancer or another life-challenging condition.

Luvdeep Miah's eldest daughter Kareena was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, when she was just two years old. At the time, the family's younger daughter, Kira, was only 10 months old, and Luvdeep was also three months pregnant with her son. Kareena spent Christmas in St. George's Hospital that year.

Luvdeep Miah, who lives in Streatham, London, said: "Originally, Kareena's chemotherapy was only supposed to be for four weeks, but she had terrible side effects and she was admitted to the intensive care unit -it was an incredible scary time. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the tumour had grown and was now Stage 2 cancer and she needed a further six months of chemotherapy after her kidney removal."

Luvdeep continued: "As a result of everything that had happened, Kareena's surgery date to remove the tumour was pushed back and she was stuck in hospital for the whole of Christmas. Kareena wasn't able to eat properly for 2.5 weeks which was very difficult when many other children on the ward were enjoying Christmas dinners, and the smell was engulfing the ward."

Talking about Momentum Children's Charity, Luvdeep said: "We first heard about Momentum, through another charity, who referred us to them. Momentum was amazing – while we remained strong in front of our children, our Family Support Worker, was a welcome shoulder to cry on an outlet to vent. As well as supporting Kareena with various activities and therapies in the hospital, Momentum arranged fun activities and gifts for Kira too. When we were in hospital over Christmas, Momentum brought gifts for the girls, there were special visitors at the hospital and they really helped keep the magic of Christmas alive, reminding us that we weren't alone."

Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and CEO at Momentum Children's Charity said: "We are so pleased that Kareena is in good health now and Momentum was able to be there for the Miah family during some of their most difficult days. While many other facilities close for the Christmas period, services provided by our charity remain available. With a rising number of referrals, we anticipate that 430 families will need support from Momentum this year.

As a charity, we receive no statutory income and rely entirely on voluntary donations. With Christmas just around the corner, we are urging anyone who is able to give an early gift to Momentum, to do it without delay. From now until 5 December, the kind people at Manulife are doubling any donations made to Momentum, so every penny really does make a huge difference."

From now until Tuesday 5 December any donations made to Momentum Children's Charity will be matched by their Corporate Partner, Manulife. Make your donation have double the difference by visiting: Momentum Children's Charity (momentumcharity.org) You can also send a cheque by post or donate at their office: 11a Creek Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9BE