“As a nurse specialist in neurology, it is not unusual for me to encounter patients and families who are often based long distances away from the hospital, admitted with very little or no notice at all and often in dire situations for many different reasons.

Your support financially has been invaluable to those patients – often these families have very little in terms of expectations when they arrive at the hospital other than the welfare of the child and will do without themselves in order to remain by their child’s bedside.

Parents are often very moved emotionally (as am I) at the thought that there is an organisation like Evie’s Gift thinking of their wellbeing through this difficult time and I am sure every one of them would thank you given the opportunity.”

“The support our families receive from Evie’s Gift is absolutely invaluable. As a charity with personal experience of having a seriously ill child in hospital, you understand the immediate implications of this in a way that not all charities do.

Many of our parents have to take unpaid leave from work to be with their children. They also tend to lose out financially paying for parking, travel, and food whilst in the hospital. It is particularly difficult for our single-parent families with other children at home, as they have to split their time between the ward and caring for their other children. Again, this can be very costly with the constant travelling back and forth.

Evie’s Gift really recognise these struggles and award grants quickly so that families can benefit at the time, rather than having to cope during the admission and worry about the financial implications later. This actually prevents families from getting into debt or borrowing money which they then struggle to pay back. Many of the families I work with have commented on how much this support makes a difference and relieves the stress and pressure when their children are in hospital.”

“It is hard to overestimate the look of relief on the face of anxious parents when I say, “There’s a charity that can help you….”, and hard to describe how touched they are when I explain about Evie’s Gift.

The story behind the charity helps anxious parents feel less isolated in the situation they are in. They get a strong sense that Evie’s family have understood their most pressing needs.

An award from Evie’s Gift can ease the strain on them, and give them more time, strength, and energy to be where they are needed most, alongside their sick child.

As a busy healthcare professional at the frontline of caring for extremely sick children and their families, the support I receive from Evie’s Gift is outstanding. It is set up so quickly, seamlessly and discreetly, the work of this amazing charity might not be obvious, but I am privileged to witness first-hand the difference it makes to families when they receive a gift from the charity, and the lasting impact it can have on their experience and memories of that desperately difficult time.”

“Knowing I can come to Evie’s Gift to ask for financial support for families at a time of trauma following an admission to the Royal London Hospital gives me so much happiness. I meet families at the beginning of their journey on the long road towards their child’s rehabilitation. These families start their day like we all do, and end it without knowing what may happen. An admission to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit is not scheduled into our everyday diary.

These families have to come out of work at the drop of a hat to be with their child and do not know if/when their lives will go back to normal. You always respond to my emails and referral forms speedily and approve and transfer grants very quickly which makes a huge difference. Your wonderful charity helps me to support these lovely families to the best of my ability. Thank you.”