Putting some sparkle into the day Glitter, tiaras and lots of laughs are usually the order of the day at Children’s Hospice South West’s special Moonlight Memory Walk. For families staying at Little Harbour this week it was also a sparkly occasion as the care team organised a fun princess themed day.

Tamsin Lewis, Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Head of Care at Little Harbour who dressed up as Shrek’s Princess Fiona for the day, explains: “We always aim to make the impossible possible and some of the little girls staying with us wanted to have a Princess Day so we did. They were so excited about the day that they woke up at 3am! “All the staff dressed up and those who had forgotten their tiaras had plenty to choose from courtesy of our sibling’s sparkly creative session in Messy Play. We had games of Princess Bingo, Princess Pass the Parcel and plenty of giggles along the way. It was such a special day for all the families and care team alike and we are still trying to get the glitter off the carpets and our faces!”

For the Clemens family from Hayle ‘Princess Day’ was certainly a day to remember. Susan and Mark visit Little Harbour with their daughters Suzanne, 3½, Abigail, 5, and Shelby, 8. Suzanne has a rare brain condition called lissencephaly and requires round the clock care.

Susan Clemens says: “We first came to look around Little Harbour in December, we were only here for a few hours but the kids didn’t want to leave! We have been back to stay a number of times since, and this time booked up to stay at the same time as one of the other families we have become friends with.

“The girls wanted to do something special and so Bee, one of the sibling workers, organised it all. We had a lovely picnic tea with party food, including princess buns the children had covered in sprinkles, and even a visit from some donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary which Suzanne loved. It was absolutely fantastic – definitely a day to remember!

“The staff here are brilliant. If you need anything there is always someone there. It is so nice to be able to get away and Suzanne loves all the space here. She particularly likes spending time in the multisensory room and splashing around in the jacuzzi – it is great for her as she is usually quite stiff.

“Little Harbour is like a home from home and it is so wonderful to be able to relax without having to worry about the girls as we know they’re having a great time. They love dressing up and spending time with other families – we’ve already planned our next break; we’re coming back for Halloween!” Ladies, you can help families like the Clemens by being part of the Moonlight Memory Walk, taking place in Falmouth on Saturday 15th September this year. It’s an extra special girls’ night out to celebrate the lives of loved ones and help raise vital funds for CHSW.

We begin at The Moor where we host the inspiring memory ceremony with music and hundreds of glowing candle bags as the centrepiece. As the clock strikes 10pm we set of on our moonlit five mile walk. Dressing up isn’t essential but many ladies add some extra sparkle to the evening with tutus and tiaras!