Published on: Monday 21 Oct 2024 at 10:52
Pumpkin spice and all things nice awaited children at St Clare Hospice’s second annual Pumpkin Party.
Young visitors and their grown-ups enjoyed a host of autumn-inspired activities, from pumpkin carving and wreath making, to pumpkin noughts and crosses and donut-bobbing, which proved particularly popular.
The event, held in the Hospice dining room in Hastingwood, was primarily organised for children who have been impacted by the loss of someone close to them, or those who have a relative or friend who is living with a terminal or life-limiting condition.
Hosted jointly by St Clare’s Patient and Family Support and fundraising teams, some of the sessions were opened up to the general public, with more than 90 youngsters joining in the fall-time fun, and helping to raise £700 for the Hospice.
St Clare project manager Denise Taylor, from the Hospice’s Patient and Family Support Team, said: “When you are little and you have lost someone you love, we know how important it is to spend time with other children who have experienced something similar.
“Which is why we were pleased to welcome some of our bereaved families to our second annual Pumpkin Party, offering children who are coping with loss the chance to come together for a morning of autumn-inspired arts, crafts and games.
“Our dining room here at the Hospice was a hive of activity as the children got stuck into the arts and crafts, carved their pumpkins and got covered in sugar trying to bob for donuts. It was a joy to host this event and to see the children laughing and having a great time.”
The money raised could help cover the costs of arts and crafts supplies for St Clare’s Echo Connect creative bereavement group for seven- to 11-year-olds, or help fund St Clare mentors, who support children and young people who have experienced a loss and need help processing their thoughts and feelings.
If you’re supporting a bereaved child and would like to find out more about how St Clare Hospice could help your family, click here.
With thanks to Hatters Farm, Cammas Hall Farm, Tesco in Epping and Church Langley and Savona Foodservice for helping make the Pumpkin Party possible by supplying the pumpkins, decorations and refreshments.