Hope House at 21: Hale to those who show hearts of gold

Hope House knows that all too well and is thankful for every penny raised to help keep its incomparable service which has transformed life for so many life limited children and their families.

Year after year, generous folk dig deep into their own pockets, collect for the charity, organise events to bring in a few bob more and will say that every minute is so worthwhile.

They are often unsung and ask for nothing more than knowing their contribution helps.

Well it does, it really does.

Last week for instance I made my now annual visit to Shifnal Flower Club (where members assure me I've been going for 10 years) to sell Hope House Christmas cards and other seasonal goodies.

As ever, the generosity of just one group on one evening is so heartwarming, added to the gesture of several significant donations along with the message "just to help out."

Are you raising money for Hope House or have a story to tell about the hospice?

Shirley Tart would love to hear from you. You can email her at shirleyhopehouse@shropshirestar.co.uk and if you have a favourite picture we may be able to use, send us that as well.

The other lovely thing for me, and I know for other money raisers for so many charities, is that over all those years you also become such good friends.

Folk expect to see you there, they look for you and we have a catch-up time discovering who has been doing what through the year. It's just great.

The bonus of course is that thanks to the generosity and kindness of so many, I can go back to Hope House and help boost the bank balance which is so critical for now and for the future.

Last week at Shifnal, flower club members and their friends and guests had a wonderful time watching Bishop's Castle florist and demonstrator Jane Pugh create some of her enchanting arrangements, chipping in as she did with singing a carol, a Christmas song, offering a poem and a few little jokes.

What fun the whole evening was.

I can't thank Chris Finlan and Sue Munslow enough for asking me back year after year not only to share a lovely evening with them all, but to be able to carry on helping Hope House as well.

This is just one example of the many groups who help raise that vital cash year by year. If you have an especially inspiring charity story (but aren't they all) send me a few lines on it and we'll try and highlight who you are, who you help and what you raise.

Meanwhile, thanks so much not just to my Shifnal Flower Club friends but to everyone out there who keeps communities and charities going. Brilliant, every one!

Meanwhile, as the children's respite hospice launches its Christmas appeal, as ever it is just so critical that it can count up its funding for the days and months and years ahead and know it can carry on with the vital work of supporting life-limited children and their families.

Being able to take in youngsters with so many conditions which often need 24-hour care is just such a relief to parents and carers who simply want the best for these children who are so special to them and who need that special attention, love and friendship.

At Hope House, they find it.

One of those being helped is an eight-year-old called Lyla, who has written an open letter to explain the work of Hope House.

Lyla's sister Poppy is 10 and suffers from up to 20 seizures a day. Her condition was finally diagnosed as Dravet's Syndrome and Hope House provides specialist respite care – and much-needed time for Lyla to have quality time with her family.

Lyla says in her letter: "When she is at Hope House I miss Poppy but it's also good because I get to spend time with Mummy and Daddy and do things we wouldn't be able to do with Poppy."

Of course the specialist care costs. Which is why – along with other charities – at Hope House, the books are kept very carefully and the fundraising and appeals never really stop. They can not afford to ease up on funding."