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Funding worry for child hospices Funding worry for child hospices
(about 1 hour later)
Wales' two hospices for children say they are finding it hard to fund their work, despite a government pledge to increase support.Wales' two hospices for children say they are finding it hard to fund their work, despite a government pledge to increase support.
Ty Hafan near Barry and Ty Gobaith in Conwy both depend on charitable donations for most of their income.Ty Hafan near Barry and Ty Gobaith in Conwy both depend on charitable donations for most of their income.
The Welsh Assembly Government says it has already increased support for child palliative care by 50%.The Welsh Assembly Government says it has already increased support for child palliative care by 50%.
It has also commissioned a report on how palliative care in Wales is organised, due out in the autumn.It has also commissioned a report on how palliative care in Wales is organised, due out in the autumn.
Both hospices depend primarily on charitable donations for the majority of their income, with less than 20% of their budgets coming from the assembly government and local health boards.Both hospices depend primarily on charitable donations for the majority of their income, with less than 20% of their budgets coming from the assembly government and local health boards.
'Goodwill''Goodwill'
"Every year it gets more difficult," said Cath Thompson, of Ty Hafan."Every year it gets more difficult," said Cath Thompson, of Ty Hafan.
"We have to rely on the generosity of the people of south Wales."We have to rely on the generosity of the people of south Wales.
"The majority of our money is raised by public goodwill and through hard work and fundraising." "The majority of our money is raised by public goodwill and through hard work and fundraising," she said.
Following a review of palliative care, the assembly government recently pledged to spend an extra £8m on support for adults and children over the next three years.Following a review of palliative care, the assembly government recently pledged to spend an extra £8m on support for adults and children over the next three years.
But the cost of running Ty Hafan alone is over £2.5m a year.But the cost of running Ty Hafan alone is over £2.5m a year.
"We get a small percentage of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, however that is very small in comparison to the amount of money we have to raise every year," added Ms Thompson."We get a small percentage of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, however that is very small in comparison to the amount of money we have to raise every year," added Ms Thompson.
The situation is similar for Ty Gobaith in Conwy - with both centres planning major fundraising events later in September, during Children's Hospice week.The situation is similar for Ty Gobaith in Conwy - with both centres planning major fundraising events later in September, during Children's Hospice week.
Terminally-ill children from the Wrexham and Powys areas receive their care across the border in England, at Oswestry's Hope House.Terminally-ill children from the Wrexham and Powys areas receive their care across the border in England, at Oswestry's Hope House.
Family supportFamily support
Families who have benefited from child hospice care say the support they offer is invaluable during a very difficult time.Families who have benefited from child hospice care say the support they offer is invaluable during a very difficult time.
Four year-old Molly Kitson comes to Ty Hafan because of a rare, life-limiting genetic condition which leaves her unable to sit up, walk or communicate clearly.Four year-old Molly Kitson comes to Ty Hafan because of a rare, life-limiting genetic condition which leaves her unable to sit up, walk or communicate clearly.
Her mother Donna said the hospice was very different to the gloomy and depressing place some people might imagine.Molly Kitson is one of the children to benefit from Ty Hafan's supportHer mother Donna said the hospice was very different to the gloomy and depressing place some people might imagine.Molly Kitson is one of the children to benefit from Ty Hafan's support
"She just loves being here," Mrs Kitson explained."She just loves being here," Mrs Kitson explained.
"As we turn into the drive way in the car, Molly has a big smile on her face.""As we turn into the drive way in the car, Molly has a big smile on her face."
"Even if she's tired or upset, as soon as we come in to the building she's totally calm - and she's got that trust with everyone.""Even if she's tired or upset, as soon as we come in to the building she's totally calm - and she's got that trust with everyone."
A report on how end-of-life services should be run across Wales is also expected during the autumn.A report on how end-of-life services should be run across Wales is also expected during the autumn.
Baroness Finlay of Llandaf, an expert on palliative medicine, has been asked by the assembly government to look at how changes can be implemented.Baroness Finlay of Llandaf, an expert on palliative medicine, has been asked by the assembly government to look at how changes can be implemented.
Both Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith are hoping that it will include an increase in public funding for children's services.Both Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith are hoping that it will include an increase in public funding for children's services.