London Mayor supports our hospice

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, praised the work of children’s hospices at a reception hosted by Haven House at City Hall yesterday evening.

Haven House Children’s Hospice staff were joined by the Mayor and 100 dignitaries and supporters. The charity’s patron Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who has been a long-term supporter, attended alongside Councillor Keith Prince who generously hosted the evening.

Guests were introduced to Menaz and Yasin Patel, whose five-year-old daughter Isma is cared for by the hospice and heard how the family has been supported. The family accesses a range of services that are designed to help both Isma, and the wider family. Isma is one of four and Menaz says the hospice has been a ‘lifeline’ for them.

The Mayor credited the dedication and compassion of those present and acknowledged the vital role that Haven House plays in providing children with the highest quality of palliative care.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

Haven House is an extraordinary facility providing children hospice care across London with access to quality care in their local area despite limited resources. I am inspired by the commitment of Haven House staff who combine expertise with a strong sense of compassion and community, as well as the families and supporters I’ve met who are a fantastic example of what can be achieved when Londoners work together.

The hospice based in Woodford Green held the event to thank guests for their commitment and to look towards the charity’s future.

Chief Executive Mike Palfreman added: “We are delighted that the work our team does for local children with serious and complex healthcare conditions has been recognised by the Mayor of London.

“Tonight, is about recognising and thanking our champions across our community who regularly support our work to ensure we can continue to provide outstanding care every day to families who need us at a very difficult time.”

Mr Palfreman added: “We are so proud of how far the hospice has progressed over the years and we’re looking forward to the next few years of development and innovation. The children, young people and their families we serve are always at the centre of what we do.

Our new strategy is bold and ambitious, and our mission is to reach more children in our local communities, to give them the best possible quality of life and to provide the support they need, when and where they need it.”

Councillor Prince, a London Assembly Member for Havering & Redbridge, communities that are cared for by Haven House said he was ‘delighted’ to host the evening.

Councillor Prince added “I am so delighted to host Haven House at City Hall; they are an inspirational organisation and I am very proud to be involved in their important work. Hearing directly from Menaz about how Haven House helps her family really puts into perspective the important work they do.”