Author: Lorraine

Over the past week, we’ve made several deliveries of our Milly Bag, and the timing has been absolutely perfect.

Mark from the Team Luke Foundation kindly delivered 10 bags to Ward 4 at Newcastle, with a very special helper by his side! Their arrival came at just the right moment, as the ward had just given out their very last bag that morning.

Graeme and Mark travelled to Manchester, delivering 20 bags to Ward 86. It was a beautiful day for the journey, and once again, the timing was perfect as the ward had given out their final 3 bags over the weekend.

We also sent 20 Milly Bags (via pallet) down to Kamran’s Ward in Oxford, which arrived safely a few days later.

That’s 50 Milly Bags delivered in just 6 days.

We always say we wish there was no need for our bags, but sadly, there is, and whilst we can’t change a diagnosis or outcome, we can send love, comfort, and support.

It is a privilege to be able to make a difference to so many families going through one of the most difficult times imaginable.

Thank you to every single person who helps make this possible. You are part of every bag, every delivery, and every moment of comfort that they bring.

#MillysSmiles #MillyBags #MakingADifference #SendingLove #ChildhoodCancerSuppor

People often ask us how they can support Milly’s Smiles, and one of the simplest ways is by donating toiletries for our Milly Bags.

Every Milly Bag we deliver to hospital is filled with practical items that help families through the very first days after a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Families often arrive on the ward suddenly, with very little with them. Simple toiletries can make such a difference in those first overwhelming hours and days.

We are always in need of:

• Toothbrushes in packs of 2 or 3

• Toothpaste

• Wash & Go 2in1 shampoo/conditioner

• Shower gel

• Deodorant (non fragranced)

• Baby wipes

If you’re able to donate any of these items, or arrange collections at your workplace etc, we would be incredibly grateful.

Donations can be dropped off at our unit or we are happy to collect if that’s easier. Alternatively you can order via our wish list on Amazon – https://amzn.eu/02HOiQBl

Every donation helps us continue supporting families at a time when their entire world has collapsed.

Our last SOULS group was just lovely…

We were joined by Wick-edly Creative , who guided us step by step in painting a beautiful robin. It was one of those mornings that just flows… full of chatter, laughter, and those poignant, quiet moments we all understand.

There was hot tea and coffee, delicious breakfast pastries, and most importantly… space, where you could just be yourself, with no expectations or pressure at all.

And that is what SOULS is all about.

This month was extra special too, as one of our group was celebrating a very special birthday. He had a lovely surprise (!) when he arrived to see the banners and the fabulous rainbow outfit we had made for him!

Moments like this matter more than words can say.

If you know someone who has lost a child or grandchild, please tell them about our group. It could make all the difference.

A huge thank you to a very enterprising young lady who has been busy with some fundraising for Milly’s Smiles.

Emmie recently set up her very own stall on her driveway after baking some very tasty biscuits. Emmie sold these delicious treats to friends and neighbours, raising an incredible total of £70 for us!

Last week Emmie and her parents came to visit us at the unit, so Emmie could see exactly where her donation would be used.

Moments like this are really special, and it’s lovely that we get to say thank you in person.

We are very grateful to Emmie for her support it really does mean the world to us.

Every single penny raised helps us continue supporting families at a time when their entire world has collapsed, we are all so proud of you Emmie!

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.