Haven House Children’s Hospice is urging residents to get involved with its work through a new awareness campaign on local buses.

Even though the charity first opened its doors in 2003, it says many residents in North East London and West Essex are unaware that it’s their local children’s hospice and all the different ways in which they can get involved.

Haven House will be promoting its ‘Time to Make a Difference’ campaign on local buses from 4 April. The adverts will be on 105 bus interior passenger panels for four weeks on multiple routes.

The adverts show Haven House child Kristian and his dad, Sean Marshall from Wanstead, walking in the grounds of the hospice in Woodford Green.

As part of the campaign, the charity has launched a 12-month partnership with local radio station Time 107.5. Listeners in East London and West Essex will be able to hear a variety of different adverts profiling Haven House services and also the voices of parents who use the hospice.

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive of Haven House, said: “Through Time to Make a Difference, we are highlighting all the ways residents can support their local children’s hospice.

“Whether that’s through a donation, leaving a legacy, volunteering, attending an event or pledging to raise funds for us – everyone can play a part in helping us care for local life-limited children and their families.”

Mum Mel Rinaldi and dad, Sean Marshall were referred to Haven House by staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital, after they realised that they desperately needed some respite from the 24/7 demands of looking after their son. Kristian has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy where seizures can be non-stop.

Mel said: “I know Kristian enjoys himself when he is at Haven House and it gives me the chance to see friends and family or sometimes just switch off and have a good night’s sleep.

“Although I have good friends, with the best will in the world, they can’t really understand what I am going through. The mums I have met at Haven House are able to say the right things and know when not to say anything.”

Watch a short film of Mel talking about how Haven House has become a lifeline to her by visiting our Time to Make a Difference page.