Latest news with #TŷHafan
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Kate Middleton shares a a heartfelt statement after pulling out of Royal Ascot
Kate Middleton revealed why she was absent from Royal Ascot. The Princess of Wales, 43, was expected to attend the annual horse race on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royal family members. However, Middleton ended up pulling out and is now addressing how she spent the last few days. In a Friday message, Middleton showed her support during Children's Hospice Week, highlighting the work she has been busy doing. 4 Kate Middleton reveals what she's been focused on the past week. 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life,' the Princess wrote. 'Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated.' 'Being able to access the support of one of the U.K.'s 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone,' added Middleton. 'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices,' she continued. 'Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond.' 4 Catherine, Princess of Wales paints the hand of Maggie aged 4 years old whose sibling is being treated at Tŷ Hafan, a children's hospice based in Sully. Getty Images Middleton concluded her message with a note to the public, explaining: 'This Children's Hospice Week,I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times.' The Princess has been a stark advocate for kids hospice services since tying the knot with Prince William in 2011. Throughout her overseas tours, Middleton has also visited numerous hospices. In January, the royal visited Tŷ Hafan for the first time in Sully, South Wales, which was built with the support of Princess Diana. 4 Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Waikato Hospice Rainbow Place on April 12, 2014 in Cambridge, New Zealand. Getty Images The director of family well-being services, Tracy Jones, said of the Princess' arrival: 'She immediately gravitated to the children and families — she spent quality time talking to every child and their parents.' 'It's been the most inspiring visit,' Jones continued. 'She crouched down and was straightaway on the level of the children. If they were in a wheelchair, she crouched at that level. If they were on the floor, she would be at the level,' she continues. 'We were seriously impressed with how she could stay in a crouch, as it's not that comfortable!' 4 Prince William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Welsh Guards), Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping The Colour 2025 on June 14, 2025 in London, England. Getty Images 'She instinctively seemed to know where to touch a child that was going to provide the connection, but not cause any distress or startle a child. She was looking at the children, even if she was talking to the parent. It's what we do, as we're used to working with children who are nonverbal.' Despite missing out on Royal Ascot, Middleton joined her husband and their three kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, for the annual Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Shares New Message After Dropping Out of Royal Ascot Appearance
Kate Middleton has written a poignant message to children's hospices, saying it was an "immense privilege" to see their work The Princess of Wales, 43, praised them for lifting the spirits of children and families "through life, death and beyond" Her June 20 message, as Children's Hospice Week draws to an end, came six months after she took on the role of patron to a hospice in South WalesKate Middleton is showing her support for kids' hospices in a poignant week. In a new message issued on Friday, June 20, the Princess of Wales praised how hospices 'lift the spirits' and support seriously ill children and their families through 'life, death and beyond.' She said it was an 'immense privilege' seeing the work up close of two hospices, with East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, during her visits as their patron. It came in a week when Princess Kate, 43, dropped out of an expected visit to the Royal Ascot race meeting on Wednesday. Kate is still managing her return to public-facing duties amid her recovery from cancer treatment. In her message on June 20, Kate wrote, 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life. Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated." 'Being able to access the support of one of the U.K.'s 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone," she added. 'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices," she said. "Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond." "This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times," Kate concluded. Support for children's hospices has been an ever-present part of Princess Kate's public work since she started in public life soon after marrying Prince William in 2011. She has also visited hospices around the world during her overseas tours. During Children's Hospice Week, which ends on June 22, the charity Together for Short Lives brings together the vital services to celebrate the incredible work they do for seriously ill children and their families. Kate made her first visit to Tŷ Hafan in January, spending more time than she was scheduled, crouching down, talking to youngsters and their families and joining in with the games. Tŷ Hafan — which means "Haven House" in Welsh — is located in Sully, South Wales, and was built with the support of Prince William's late mother, Princess Diana. Tracy Jones, the director of family well-being services who showed Kate around, said on the day of the visit in January, 'She immediately gravitated to the children and families — she spent quality time talking to every child and their parents.' 'It's been the most inspiring visit,' Jones added. 'She crouched down and was straightaway on the level of the children. If they were in a wheelchair, she crouched at that level. If they were on the floor, she would be at the level,' she continues. 'We were seriously impressed with how she could stay in a crouch, as it's not that comfortable!" "She instinctively seemed to know where to touch a child that was going to provide the connection, but not cause any distress or startle a child. She was looking at the children, even if she was talking to the parent. It's what we do, as we're used to working with children who are nonverbal," she added. Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, praised Kate's "ongoing support for Children's Hospice Week over many years [that] has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children's hospices do, every day of the year." "Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that's for years, months or only hours," he said. 'Together with all the children's hospices, we thank the Princess of Wales for her invaluable contribution.' Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, said in a statement on June 20, 'Her Royal Highness is clearly profoundly committed to the needs of children and young people, and in January, during her first visit to our hospice as our patron, her kindness and empathy were evident." 'Having HRH's support during Children's Hospice Week means that not only can we take time to celebrate the difference that children's hospices, including Tŷ Hafan, have made to the lives of so many families, but that we can also remind people of the importance of supporting their local children's hospice so that no family has to live their child's short life alone.' Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Kevin Clements, Chief Executive of EACH, based in the area close to the Wales family's country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, added, 'We're so incredibly grateful for The Princess' invaluable contribution as our dedicated Royal Patron. Her ongoing support and vast profile have projected our charity onto the global stage, and this latest message is a perfect way to mark Children's Hospice Week." 'It's a great opportunity to shine a light on the work of children's hospices generally, as well as giving us an opportunity to raise awareness and remind everyone of the need for public support, given we rely on donations for the majority of our income.' Read the original article on People
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Our toddler was given five years to live but he didn't show any serious symptoms that whole time
Our toddler was given five years to live but he didn't show any serious symptoms that whole time 'My son died on Valentine's Day. It's awful others don't have support we did' Jackie Fears with her eldest son Greg (Image: Ty Hafan ) A mum-of-three whose son was tragically diagnosed with a life-limiting condition aged just two said it breaks her heart to think there are other families who don't have the support she did when her son was unwell. Jackie Fears, from Church Village, near Pontypridd, has bravely opened up about her eldest son Greg. The young man, described as "such a character" with the "most enigmatic smile" by his family, sadly died on Valentine's Day in 2023. "I honestly feel that when Greg died, part of me went with him," Jackie said. Get the latest Ponty news first by signing up to our newsletter here At the age of two, Greg was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension – a life-shortening heart and lung condition – with a prognosis that he would only live for a further five or so years. "My husband, Paul, and I were devastated and I felt that I was going to pieces," she said. A young Greg at the fairground (Image: Ty Hafan ) Article continues below Greg, however, suffered no serious symptoms of his condition until he was 15, and it was then that he and his family started to receive support from Tŷ Hafan. "This is the only place where I could just be his mum. And it was so nice to let the carer part of me go for the time that we were here – I could just be his mum," Jackie said. Greg, in fact, lived well beyond the initial prognosis of five years, cared for at home by Jackie. "When you're at home caring day to day, it can be very isolating. It's the uncertainty and the worry," she explained. In later years, and especially after the pandemic, Tŷ Hafan's gardens became Greg's "safe space". In July 2022, Greg had a stroke and Jackie said: "It was then just a question of time." Greg died on Valentine's Day 2023, surrounded by his family, and supported by Tŷ Hafan. 'Having Tŷ Hafan in our lives has been totally life-changing,' Jackie explained. 'It is worrying caring day-to-day. There were times which were far more challenging than others. But if you've got somewhere to turn to, to even just talk it through, it stops that awful feeling of isolation." Jackie said that she doesn't know what her family would have done without the support of Ty Hafan (Image: Ty Hafan ) Jackie added that the ongoing support Ty Hafan have provided since Greg's death has made a "real difference". She said: "It's been two years and nearly four months since we lost Greg. But to me, that's no time at all. "I don't think that anything prepares you for when it actually happens. Grief affects you in so many ways - such a complex and confusing and messy emotion. I am moving further away from a time that I was actually with Greg, that I held his hand. "I honestly feel that when Greg died, part of me went with him. And it doesn't mean to say you don't feel joy like with the birth of our grandson, but the sadness is still there and you're not moving on, you are moving forward. "All the things that are going to happen like our son and his girlfriend are getting married, but it's always going to be without Greg so to have Ty Hafan to turn to when it gets just a little bit too much has made a real difference." Each year, Tŷ Hafan supports around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and around 3,000 family members by providing specialist palliative care addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each member of the family. From diagnosis to bereavement, Tŷ Hafan is there for the family as long as they need, through life, death and beyond. However, Tŷ Hafan is only able to help 1 in 10 families who need support. "I find it really upsetting and it actually breaks my heart to think that alongside us there are nine other families who aren't accessing the support we have had. I'm not sure how we would have coped doing this on our own," Jackie said. Tracy Jones, director of family wellbeing and outreach services at Tŷ Hafan, said: 'No family should have to live their child's short life alone. 'We know that there are many more children with life-shortening conditions and their families, like Greg's, who could really benefit from our support but who are currently having to manage the fear and isolation that comes with having a very ill child on their own. 'As we mark the start of Children's Hospice Week today, while we want to take time to celebrate our work here at Tŷ Hafan, we also want to remind people that there is still so much more to do and there are so many more families who need our support.' For more information and to make a donation go to Article continues below
South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith appeal for increased funding
Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith want at least 25 per cent of care costs to be funded by 2025, rising to 30 per cent by 2030. They believe this would mean increasing statutory support from £2.3 million to around £3.2 million in 2025/26, and close to £5 million by 2030/31. Tŷ Gobaith CEO, Andy Goldsmith, said: "Across Wales, children with life-threatening conditions are not getting the support that they and their families need." He added that increased funding would allow hospices to bring "essential care closer to home, particularly in remote rural communities". Tŷ Hafan CEO, Irfon Rees, said: "This is not about children's hospices competing with the NHS for funding. "With most of the hospice care funded by charitable donations, the non-profit, charitable children's hospices are a cost-effective and important partner to the NHS and local government. "We are incredibly grateful to the Welsh Government for the one-off funding in 2024/25 and the uplift in funding for hospices in the 2025/26 budget, but there is no certainty of this funding beyond this Senedd." The request comes ahead of national Children's Hospice Week, which runs from June 16 to June 22. The two hospices hope that by then, at least one leading political party will have made the pledge to prioritise children with life-shortening conditions.
Business News Wales
02-06-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Children's Hospices Urge Parties to Pledge to Fair and Sustainable Funding
Tŷ Hafan nurse Emma, Talis and dad Ryan Wales' two children's hospices are calling on all Welsh political parties to pledge to stand up for children with life-shortening conditions ahead of this year's national Children's Hospice Week. Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith want politicians to pledge to include fair and sustainable funding for children's hospices in their party manifestos – committing to funding at least 25% of care costs in 2025, rising to 30% in 2030. In real terms, this pledge means raising statutory support for children's hospices from the £2.3 million they expect to receive in 2025/26 to around £3.2 million in the same year, and then stepping this up to just under £5 million by 2030/31. It's a staged uplift of £2.7 million over four years, and the hospices say it would give them the certainty they need to recruit and retain the specialist teams that children and families rely on every day. Tŷ Gobaith Chief Executive Andy Goldsmith explained that the number of children with life-threatening conditions in Wales has increased significantly over the last decade. These children have increasingly complex medical needs, and their families are facing growing challenges, as NHS and local authority services come under increasing pressure. 'Across Wales children with life-threatening conditions are not getting the support that they and their families need, and the children's hospices are committed to making sure that every child and family who could benefit from our support is able to access services,' he added. 'To achieve this, we need to have confidence in our future funding to invest in services and to employ the highly skilled nurses and health care professionals required. That is why fair and sustainable funding is so vital. 'We want to bring essential care closer to home, particularly in remote rural communities. At the moment accessing support can be a postcode lottery and that is wrong. We need to help every child with a life-threatening condition to live their best life, receive the best care at end of life, and to support families to go on living beyond.' Tŷ Hafan Chief Executive Irfon Rees agreed: 'This is not about children's hospices competing with the NHS for funding. The children's hospices in Wales play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of some of Wales most vulnerable and medically complex children. With most of the hospice care funded by charitable donations, the non-profit, charitable children's hospices are a cost effective and important partner to the NHS and local government. 'With costs rising and increasing need, we are asking for ever more of our incredible donors and supporters and we believe it is only fair that the next Welsh Government commit to this partnership and to strike a fair balance between state funding and charitable donations. 'We are incredibly grateful to the Welsh Government for the one-off funding in 2024/25 and the uplift in funding for hospices in the 2025/26 budget, but there is no certainty of this funding beyond this Senedd.' Children's Hospice Week runs from June 16 – 22 this year, by which time the two hospices hope at least one of the leading political parties will have made the pledge
