Local children’s charity supports families this Christmas

By Tilly O'Brien

4th Dec 2024 3:15 pm | Local News

Four-year old Priscilla-Rose was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) last year after 14 months of misdiagnosis (Image supplied)
Four-year old Priscilla-Rose was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) last year after 14 months of misdiagnosis (Image supplied)

Christmas is just around the corner and Momentum Children's Charity is preparing to support more families than ever during the festive period this year.

 While most people are busy particpating in annual traditions, such as buying gifts, attending school shows, and arranging social get-togethers, the reality of Christmas for families with seriously ill children is a stark contrast.

 Family Support Workers at Momentum will be available for families who have a child with cancer or another life-challenging condition in hospital and at home this Christmas, ensuring that no one has to cope alone at this time of year.

In an exclusive interview with Kingston Nub, Momentum's Director of Service Delivery, Claire Dewsbury,  said: "Christmas for children is still magical, but when you're poorly, you've got all the added complexities of if you're in hospital and what that comes within the stresses of that.

"So, during COVID when all of us were stuck at home and couldn't go to see Father Christmas, we developed a wonderful thing called Doorstep Santa, and it's actually been something that we've continued to do."

Dewsbury explained that this weekend, the charity will have a team of around 20 Santa and Elves, teams, crews, that will be going out to visit its families across London, Surrey and Sussex, delivering personalised and unique doorstep visits to families, along with a sack full of goodies.

She said: "Each of those visits is very personal to each of the families, but we just couldn't do it without the support of our dedicated volunteers who give up their time so generously."

Momentum's office also currently looks like Santa's Grotto, "which is bursting at the scenes with all the very generous donations of toys and gifts that we've had from some of our supporters," says Dewsbury.

She said: "We have the most loyal volunteers.

"So, when we first started out, it was very much about delivering it to all of the families because obviously, no one was going out to see Santa. Whereas now the project really focuses on children who would or families who would otherwise be unable to get out to see Santa.

"So, they might be struggling because they're stuck indoors, or they may have been recently bereaved and actually going out into broader community events to see Santa just isn't right for them right now."

She continued: "They would rather have something at home that's very personal and sensitive to them.

"So, it kind of recognises that this service, this offer can be unique just for them and that they don't have to worry about any of the other external factors that may be concerning them at this time."

 Allena Tomkins' youngest child, Priscilla-Rose (Priddi), age four, was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) last year after 14 months of misdiagnosis.

Priscilla-Rose spent last Christmas in the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.

Tomkins from Tadley, Hampshire, said: "When we received Priddi's diagnosis, I knew it was going to be something bad, although I felt relieved after months of not knowing what was wrong.

"The only cure for JMML is a bone marrow transplant, and thankfully two of my children were a match for Priddi.

"My eldest child, Jessi-Mae, was determined she would be the one to have the transplant, so this went ahead last December, and we spent Christmas and New Year in hospital.

 "Prior to the transplant, Priddi had intensive invasive chemotherapy conditioning to clear out her own bone marrow.

"It hasn't been a straightforward journey – Priddi has had allergic reactions to medication, and everything has taken a lot longer because of the rarity of her cancer.

"In January, Priddi went into remission, but we were still administering medication until last month to prevent sickness, vitals and infections due to her low immune system."

 Talking about Momentum Children's Charity, Tomkins said: "We found out about Momentum when Priddi was having treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

"Sam, one of their Family Support Workers, came up to us, in her warm and welcoming way, and checked how we were doing.

"Sam has really helped us, particularly me, to open up and talk about things. We would see Sam in the hospital every week, she is a rare diamond and someone I will never forget, even when this nightmare is over for us - we have a lot to thank Momentum for."

 Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and CEO at Momentum Children's Charity said: "We are delighted that Priscilla-Rose has completed her treatment and is doing well. 

"While many other services close for the festive period, those provided by Momentum remain available and because of this, we were able to be there for Priscilla-Rose's family when they were in hospital over Christmas last year.

 "The need for our support is growing and we must make sure we can be there for every family that needs us. As a charity, we receive no statutory income and rely entirely on voluntary donations.

"Christmas is just weeks away and we are encouraging anyone who is able to make a donation to Momentum, to do it, without delay. Funds raised this December will not only bring hope during the festive season but will provide ongoing assistance to families throughout the year."

Anyone can donate gifts to Momentum's Doorstep Santa or money to help with the gift funding.

Dewsbury said: "we're very fortunate. We're kind of full to the brim with gifts, as many charities are at this time of year.

And I think what we would ask at the moment is for any volunteers that are willing to support us this Christmas for activities about to happen.

"We've got lots of wonderful Christmas events coming up.

"So, helping with manning the stores and collections at our fundraising events will really help, whether that's just for a few hours.

"But equally, what we really need at the moment is people's fundraising.

"If they can help us with their time or indeed if they could donate to our Magic Moments campaign, that would be absolutely amazing because that helps ensure that we can carry on this support through the year as well.

Momentum's family support team are still delivering its core service of family support in hospitals and homes throughout the festive period.

Donations of just £20 would pay for a personal session with a family support worker, providing comfort to distressed families, or £30 could provide a treat for a family.

"So," Dewsbury said, "rather than the actual gifts now, it's the money that helps us continue to do that as well.

"We tailor the gifts to the children and something specific for them that we know."

You can donate to Momentum and help change a child's life this Christmas via its website.

 Momentum Children's Charity supports families across London, including in Kingston, Surrey, and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition.

The charity partners with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home.

     

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