Top comedian Paddy McGuinness shines a light on hospice services
Support services offered to children from north Shropshire are being put in the spotlight by top comedian Paddy McGuinness.
The TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter is taking on an Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge– cycling almost 300 miles through Wales, England and Scotland.
Money raised by the challenge will go to BBC Children in Need, which supports Nightingale House Hospice’s Child Bereavement Service.
Setting off from Wrexham on Monday, 11 November, Paddy will be cycling through Wales and England before finishing in Glasgow on Friday, 15 November.
And he won’t be doing this challenge on just any bicycle... he will take on the route on an iconic modified Raleigh Chopper bike!
The bereavement service at Nightingale House offers one-to-one support sessions as well as group activities and days out for youngsters and their carers, regardless of whether their lost loved one had been cared for by the hospice.
Ahead of his challenge, Paddy caught up with the hospice’s Family Support Team Lead Jackie Rowley and their chat was broadcast on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2 this morning.
Paddy and Jackie spoke about the importance of providing services for children who have suffered a loss, helping them manage their grief and create lasting memories of their lost loved one, and Paddy was taken aback to hear that the hospice provided almost 370 child bereavement sessions last year.
Jackie said: “It was great to speak with Paddy and tell him about the services we offer. It is a really busy service and it is an honour to be able to deliver it.
“He is taking on an incredible challenge and we are behind him all the way.”
Paddy described the work done by Jackie and her team as “invaluable”.
You can follow Paddy’s progress on his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge on Radio 2 each day from Monday.
For more information about bereavement support at Nightingale House please visit nightingalehouse.co.uk/family-support
