Balloons Boost Anniversary Activities

Naomi House Children’s Hospice is opening its doors to the public on 21, 22 and 23 September to coincide with national Children’s Hospice Week.

And to mark a decade of providing care and support to life-limited children and their families, the charity is asking people send a donation together with a message on a paper balloon to be displayed during the weekend.

"Since welcoming the first families to stay on 27 June 1997, we have cared for around 450 children with life limiting conditions as well as their parents, brothers and sisters,” says Events Fundraiser, Emma Barlow. “In our 10^th anniversary year we are saying a huge thank you to everyone who has made Naomi House the success it is today and inviting everybody to visit us during our open days.”

The hospice – in Sutton Scotney near Winchester – is also asking people to bring good quality items to sell in its fundraising shops and will be collecting used stamps, printer cartridges, mobile ‘phones and foreign currency to raise money to help pay its fuel bills.

With Foresters once again providing a fantastic fete on Saturday and Sunday and plenty of tea and cakes, there will be something for everyone. Representatives from Lifelites – formerly the Millennium project of the Royal Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls, and now a charity in its own right – will also be on hand to demonstrate the computer equipment they provide for the children and families using Naomi House.

Doors open 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

Balloons are available from Naomi House shops in Andover, Boscombe, Cosham, Eastleigh, Fareham, Shirley and Winchester or by calling 01962 843513.