Author: Lorraine

Sometimes, the messages we receive say everything that needs to be said…

A family recently shared this with us after their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour and started chemotherapy at RMCH:

“Thank you Milly’s Smiles. My daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer in November 2025 and she received her bag last week when we started chemo. She loved the contents and the bag will be our hospital bag as it’s big enough to carry all the essentials for the months ahead. Thank you very much for everything you do.”

At a time when families feel that their entire world has collapsed, it means everything to know that our Milly Bag can bring a little bit of comfort, and something practical to hold onto in those early days.

We’re sending so much love to this beautiful little girl and her family as they begin this journey.

And to every single person who supports us… this is the difference you are making.

Sometimes the families we support end up supporting us right back, and that means the world to us.

Salahman received a Milly Bag when he was admitted onto Ward 86 at Manchester Children’s Hospital in 2024. Since then, despite everything their family is going through, they have shown the most incredible kindness and support towards Milly’s Smiles.

It was so lovely to meet Salahman and his family at our Annual Milly’s Smiles Walk last year, and this year his uncle Garred decided to do something very special to support the charity.

Garred bravely shaved off all his hair to raise funds… and even better, he let Salahman do the honours!

We think Garred looks fantastic, although with the weather we’ve been having he might be feeling a little chilly right now!

Thanks to Garred’s amazing effort, he has already raised an incredible £600 for Milly’s Smiles. We are so grateful.

A massive thank you to the whole family for their ongoing support, and a special shout out to Salahman, who is a true little hero.

Your kindness means more than you know.

#MillysSmiles #ChildhoodCancerSupport

Today our third delivery of the week has left our unit after our pallet was picked up by Kate. This delivery is heading to Nottingham and onto Ward E39, and takes our total to 180 Milly Bags delivered to the ward.

However, today also marks a truly significant milestone for Milly’s Smiles…

We have now delivered 2,500 Milly Bags!

2,500 families supported at a time when their entire world has collapsed.

2,500 moments of comfort.

2,500 reminders that they are not alone.

We feel so proud and deeply honoured to do this in Milly’s name. Her legacy is making an incredible difference every single day.

Those 2,500 bags represent £350,000 of support, made possible entirely through donations, fundraising, grants, partnerships and the pure kindness of so many wonderful people, organisations and community groups.

We are beyond grateful to every single person who believes in what we do, supports us and walks alongside us.

Thank you for helping us continue this work, for Milly, and for every family who needs us.

#MillysSmiles #ChildhoodCancerSupport #MakingADifference #TeamMilly

Today we made our second delivery of the week, this time to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The timing of our visit was perfect, giving us the chance to catch up with the wonderful Barrington, who was there entertaining children on the wards.

Barrington was incredible with Milly during her time on Ward 84 in Manchester, and over the years he’s become a good friend.

He is also the talent behind our beautiful logo, which makes moments like this feel very special

On arrival we were met by the Ward Housekeeper, Louise who always makes us feel so welcome. Louise and Barrington helped us take the Milly Bags onto Ward 3B, (and in true Barrington style there was plenty of fun along the way along the way).

Today’s delivery takes us to 550 Milly Bags delivered to Alder Hey, since we began in October 2018.

That’s 550 families across Liverpool, the surrounding areas and the Isle of Man we’ve been able to support.

We never, ever take what we do for granted. It only happens because of the incredible people who support us, fund us and believe in us.

We can’t change a diagnosis, but we can make a small difference at a time when a family’s world has completely fallen apart.

#MillysSmiles #AlderHey #ChildhoodCancerSupport

Today is the start of a busy week of deliveries for us.

Firstly we have Milly Bags making their way to Ward C2 at Cambridge Children’s Hospital (this is only our second delivery to Cambridge, and takes our total bags to them to 40).

This delivery is travelling by pallet, collected from our unit and delivered straight to the hospital. It’s a far more cost-effective option for the charity, helping us make every penny go further.

What doesn’t change however, is the care. Every single bag is packed with love and attention so it arrives in the same perfect condition in which it left.

We are so proud knowing our Milly Bags are reaching further across the country and that more families will receive support at a time when their whole world has collapsed.

Thank you to every single person who supports us, funds us, packs with us and believes in what we do.

We are so proud to be making a difference to families every single day.

Earlier this week Graeme and Mark were back on the road to Leeds, delivering Milly Bags to Ward L31 along with a box of Journals for the Transplant Ward.

The team were met by Elaine, who as always had the biggest smile waiting for them. The bags were quickly unloaded and whisked straight onto the ward, ready to reach families who need them most.

It is always such a lovely visit to Leeds. We are consistently made to feel so welcome, and that kindness means more than we can say.

Elaine also shared several reviews with us today, and they truly warmed our hearts. We love receiving feedback because it validates what we do. It reminds us that each Milly Bag is more than just practical support. It is comfort. It is understanding. It is knowing someone cares at a time when families feel that their entire world has collapsed.

This delivery takes our total number of Milly Bags delivered to Leeds to 450. That represents an incredible £63,000 invested directly into supporting families facing childhood cancer in Leeds and the surrounding area.

To every single person who donates, fundraises, volunteers, or quietly champions our work behind the scenes, thank you. We are one big team. We simply could not do this without your belief in us and in what Milly’s Smiles stands for.

We are so proud to be making a difference to families every single day.

Last weekend we held our monthly SOULS group and treated our lovely families to a beautiful breakfast from Brie Mine Deli & Bistro.

Everyone was spoilt for choice, from fruit compote and fresh pastries to croissants with preserves, fresh fruit and orange juice, giving the whole morning a calm and relaxing feel.

What I always notice at SOULS is that if you walked past the room, you probably wouldn’t think we were a bereavement group. There is laughter. There are stories. There are moments of lightness that sit alongside the heavy ones.

And that is the magic of being with people who truly understand. We can laugh without guilt, cry without explanation, and hold space for one another whenever it’s needed.

SOULS is completely free to attend and is open to anyone living with the loss of a child, grandchild or sibling. You don’t have to walk this path alone.

If you would like more information about joining us, please email: hello@millysmiles.org or WhatsApp 07555541987.

A few weeks ago we were contacted by Elite Competitions who asked if they could come and spend some time with us to learn more about Milly’s Smiles and the support we provide to families facing childhood cancer, as they were keen to promote us as part of the community work they do.

It was genuinely lovely to meet the whole team. They were so warm, interested and really wanted to understand what life looks like for families when a child is diagnosed, and how our support helps make a difference at a time when their entire world has collapsed.

Then, just as they were leaving, they completely surprised us with an incredible donation of £5,000. We honestly didn’t expect it and it meant such a lot to us.

Thank you Elite Competitions for your kindness, your time and your support. It will help us continue being there for families when they need it most.

Saddle up… the 3rd Annual Milly’s Smiles Danceathon is BACK and this year we’re trading glow sticks for cowboy boots!

We are going FULL COUNTRY HOEDOWN!

Saturday 9th May

1pm to 4pm

All Saints Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors, BB5 5HT

Expect 3 whole hours of boot-stompin’, hip-shakin’, yee-haw-level fun with an incredible line-up of instructors including Panache & Zumba plus our very special guest – Rodeo Duo!

No dance skills required. Just bring energy, laughter, and maybe a hat that’s larger than your personality.

Every step helps Milly’s Smiles continue making a difference at a time when families feel their whole world has collapsed.

To secure your place please contact Jess on: 07450 413166.

Tickets: £25 each.