Samantha Cameron has hosted a special reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate 25 years of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The reception was held on Tuesday 7th June and was attended by co-founder of the charity Eddie Farwell who said: ‘This has been an immense honour and privilege. 2016 is such a special year for Children’s Hospice South West, and this has been an incredible opportunity to share my story as to how it all began and celebrate this important anniversary year.’

Attended by over 100 guests, including families who have used the hospice, the Downing Street reception was organised as a way to help raise awareness of the work of the charity which helps and supports children who are not expected to live until adulthood and Samantha Cameron said: “The work children’s hospices do for families, makes the difference between coping and not coping- it can save you. The children’s hospice movement isn’t that old and what Eddie Farwell has achieved in such a short space of time is incredible and so inspiring.”

At the evening reception, guests which included CHSW bereaved family, the Kenbury’s, were able to chat with Samantha and Eddie regards the charity and find out more about CHSW’s plans for the next 25 years.

Eddie Farwell and his late wife, Jill founded CHSW following their own experiences of caring for their two life-limited children, Katie and Tom. The charity has grown to have three children’s hospices in the South West, in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, ensuring that there is help and support for all families living in the region.

Looking after a life-limited child can be exhausting and so, in addition to end of life support, the hospices offer respite care for the whole family, including well brothers and sisters, ensuring that parents have precious time to recharge their batteries and simply become Mum and Dad again.

It costs over £8million each year to fund the services at all three hospices and this funding is met almost entirely through voluntary donations. For more information on the work of Children’s Hospice South West, see www.chsw.org.uk