Youngster's heart-breaking message to Santa as family prepares for their last Christmas together

Ali, Head of Fundraising at North Devon Hospice, shares how you can help families like the Bartletts make the most of their last Christmas together by supporting the hospice’s Christmas Wish appeal.

For everyone at North Devon Hospice, Christmas really is such a special time. With the twinkling lights and nostalgic decorations, not only does the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the hospice reach a whole new level, but the unified focus on ensuring our patients and their loved ones can enjoy Christmas as much as possible is what truly brings the magic at this special time of year.

This December and into the new year, we will once again be caring for hundreds of families here at the hospice and in people’s homes right across North Devon.

Families like the Bartletts (names changed to respect the local family’s privacy), for whom Christmas will mean even more this year after dad Peter was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer back in March.

Upon receiving this heart-breaking news, mum Tamsin shared how the family didn’t know which way to turn and how the future felt so uncertain for them all.

But thanks to your incredible support, we have been able to scoop them up and provide a lifeline of care to both Peter and Tamsin and their two children, Harry and Katie, to help them make the most of every precious day.

Like many loving families, Christmas has always been a magical time for the Bartletts and one when they can focus on simply being together and making memories to cherish.

For Tamsin, one of her favourite things about the festive season has always been getting the children to write to Santa at The North Pole to share their Christmas wishes.

But with such a drastic change in their circumstances over the past nine months, she wasn’t sure what the children would write on their lists this year. However, when she asked little Harry what he’d wished for this Christmas, she was absolutely blown away by his response.

For Harry, there were just three things on his list that would make this Christmas magical; the first was being able to enjoy the big family dinner that’s always part and parcel of the Bartlett’s Christmas Day but as usual, without the sprouts!

The second thing Harry talked about was the family’s tradition of flying his dad’s stunt kite on the beach after Christmas lunch – a sight for sore eyes on a chilly winter’s day. The third and perhaps most poignant item on Harry’s list was his wish for Mummy to be OK this Christmas.

Like me, you’ll notice how none of these items are material things but traditions, moments, and feelings that for Harry, have come to define what Christmas means to him and his family.

With your support, we can help to make all these things possible and give the Bartletts a last Christmas together to remember.

With a donation of £14, we can cook Christmas dinner not just for Peter, Tamsin, Harry, and Katie, but for their extended family too so they can still be part of Christmas lunch if Peter is staying at the hospice.

A gift of £27 will mean we can help to regulate Peter’s pain on the Bedded Unit or with a visit at home, so he can feel stable enough to go kite-flying on Christmas Day.

Finally, a donation of £41 will help to provide emotional support for Tamsin, through counselling sessions, support groups and so much more now and after Peter has died.

Whatever you can give this Christmas, know that it really will make all the difference to families like the Bartletts who this year will be making memories to last a lifetime.

As always, thank you for your unwavering support and wonderful kindness. It is thanks to you – our amazing North Devon community – that we can continue our care this Christmas and beyond.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit the North Devon Hospice website