Author: Lorraine

We were absolutely thrilled to have young volunteer, Ben join forces with Graeme this summer to help with our Milly Bag deliveries. Ben made the journey across the Pennines to Leeds Children’s Hospital, where the wonderful Elaine was there to welcome them and receive the bags on behalf of the children’s oncology wards.

It’s been such a joy having Ben’s support on our deliveries, his kindness and enthusiasm has really shone through and we feel very lucky to have had his help.

Every Milly Bag that we provide is a reminder to families that they are not alone, and that someone is thinking about them and sending love and support every single day.

Thank you, as always, to each and every one of you who makes this possible. Your support allows us to make a massive difference every single day.

Today we want to give a huge shout out to of a group of dedicated ladies who have been working together for many years to support women with physical and learning disabilities. Over time, they have become a close-knit family at Edgar Street Residential Home.

In November, their world was rocked when their colleague Charlotte’s 5-year-old son, Salahman, was diagnosed with Leukaemia. This news was absolutely devastating for the Khan family, and it has been heartbreaking for the Edgar Street family as well. Whilst they have done their best to offer support, they realised that there was so much more that they wanted to do, but they felt very limited in what they could provide.

That’s when they decided to take action! So recently a very brave team of 6 arrived at the Black Knights Skydiving Centre. They were joined by a group of fabulous supporters, all ready to cheer them on. The weather was perfect for jumping out of a plane, and we are thrilled to say every single one of them successfully completed their skydive, jumping from a whopping 15,000 feet!

As well as making this jump the team wanted to use the opportunity to raise money for Milly’s Smiles as they knew all about the support we provided, when Salahman was first diagnosed.

A huge thank you to everyone who jumped from the skies, to the people who have supported them along the way and to everyone who has donated. We are humbled by such incredible support, it really does mean the world to us.

#MillysSmiles #SkyDiveForSalahman #EdgarStreetFamily #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #SupportAndStrength

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We want to say a massive thank you to the incredible team at Siemens Newcastle, who organised a sponsored walk on 11th July to raise funds for Milly’s Smiles.

The walk was held in support of a colleague whose little boy has recently been diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, and the family received a Milly Bag after they were admitted onto Ward 4 at The Great North Children’s Hospital. His parents asked for any donations to go to Milly’s Smiles, and we are so humbled by their kindness during such a difficult time.

The work we do with Ward 4 is supported by the amazing charity TeamLuke Foundation. The wonderful team at Team Luke keep on top of our bags and make sure the ward is always stocked up ready to support all new admissions.

Thank you to Siemens Newcastle who have already raised an incredible £4,128, every penny of which will go towards supporting families during those first frightening days of a hospital stay

#MillysSmiles #ThankYou #SiemensNewcastle #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #SponsoredWalk #Hepatoblastoma #FundraisingHeroes

Earlier this week we sent our 5th pallet to Oxford, containing a further 20 Milly Bags for Oxford Children’s Hospital. It was lovely to welcome our new collection driver, who was very happy to pose for a photo in the sunshine!

We have been supporting Kamrans Ward at Oxford for almost 12 months and this will be our 5th delivery taking the total number of bags sent to 95.

We are so proud of our how far we reach with our Milly Bags, it is very humbling to be able to support so many families going through one of the most difficult times of their lives. We will always be grateful to everyone who donates, fundraises, or volunteers their time to us, without you we would not be able to make such a huge difference every single day.

Some people truly take Milly’s Smiles into their hearts, and Andy and his family are one of those special few.

After Andy’s daughter Darcie received a Milly Bag on Ward 86, the Tobutt family have spent the last 12 months doing the most incredible fundraising and awareness-raising on our behalf. We have been overwhelmed by their kindness and support.

Andy’s school, The Co-op Academy Walkden have gone above and beyond with a range of unique and brilliant fundraising events over the school year. We were thrilled to be invited to their recent Celebration Evening, where we were proudly presented with a cheque for £3,180.13!

Darcie’s school, Leyland St James Primary, also joined in to show their support, holding a dress in Orange Day last week. All the staff and pupils wore something orange and donated to Milly’s Smiles. They raised a fantastic £751.75. We were especially thrilled to have our Chair of Trustees, Gemma, attend to talk about Milly’s Smiles.

In April this year, Andy took on his own challenge of completing the London Marathon, which he did whilst also raising a massive £6800.00.

We are so grateful to this amazing family, their support has been phenomenal, and will make such a difference to us. We are also so happy to share that Darcie is doing incredibly well with her treatment and is looking forward to her summer holidays.

Thank you, Andy, Darcie, and the whole Tobutt family. Your support means the world to us.

#MillysSmiles #ThankYou #FundraisingHeroes #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #OrangeDay #LondonMarathon

Last week, the amazing and incredibly brave Mohammed took a giant leap and completed a bungee jump to raise money for Milly’s Smiles!

Mohammed chose to support us after his daughter Juwairiya (Juwy), was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in December 2023. Due to the severity of her cancer, Juwy developed osteoporosis which caused fractures to her spine in multiple places, and meant that she had to spend 4 months on bedrest, on Ward 86 at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Mohammed told us that getting a Milly Bag was one of the first kind gestures they received, and it really touched all their hearts. Everything inside the bag was useful and well used. Juwy slept every night with the blanket, the rainbow elephant and the heat pad and the bag is still used for hospital visits today.

Juwy continues to use her rainbow blanket and wear her beanie hat too, and thankfully she is now doing really well with her treatment and is walking and back at her primary school.

To show his thanks Mohammed took on the challenge of throwing himself (safely!) off a platform in a massive bungee jump, and so far he’s raised an incredible £1,036.00 for Milly’s Smiles!

A huge thank you to Mohammed for his bravery and support. Everyone at Milly’s Smiles are so grateful to you and your beautiful family, we send our love to you all, especially Juwy who we think is an absolute superstar.

#MillysSmiles #FundraisingHero #ChildhoodCancer

This is one post I never ever wanted to write….

On Sunday peacefully in Madrid, our amazing, beautiful Ambasador Lucy passed away with her mum and dad beside her.

To say we are devastated doesn’t come close to describing how heartbroken we are. Lucy has been such a huge part of Milly’s Smiles for so many years. She has spoken at many corporate events, she has been a passionate champion of our Adopt an Elephant scheme and has supported so many of our own fundraisers, all whilst bravely facing neuroblastoma and enduring the harsh treatments that came with it.

Throughout everything, Lucy showed the most incredible dignity and grace. She never complained, despite travelling internationally in order to access treatment. She simply got on with it, determined to live her life as fully and as joyfully as she could.

It has been an honour and a privilege to know her. Her strength, her kindness, and her beautiful spirit have left a mark on all of us, and she will be missed more than words can say.

We send all our love to her amazing mum and dad, and to her lovely brother Sam.

Fly high, beautiful Lucy. I know that Milly and her friends will be wrapping you up in their arms and holding you close.

We will always speak your name. And your legacy will live on through your incredible family and the love you’ve shared with us all.

Would you like to meet other parents, grandparents, siblings and families who truly understand, and who can offer support, compassion, and a listening ear?

We warmly invite you to come along to our Open Day to find out more about our monthly bereavement support groups.

Our groups are friendly, welcoming, and supportive. We offer a safe space where you can talk, listen, or simply be alongside others who are walking the same path.

Please feel free to call in and see if our support feels right for you, we would to meet you.

Milly’s Smiles, Unit 4, Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood, Blackburn. BB6 7UA.

Last week we received this beautiful message from a family currently staying on Kamran’s Ward at Oxford Children’s Hospital, and we wanted to share a little of it because it speaks to the heart of why Milly’s Smiles exists.

“Just wanted to send you a message to say thank you for our beautiful bag. It’s made our poorly pup very happy, and Milly the elephant has been welcomed into the bunny fold. Thank you for all you do. Love, Ellie and Elodie x”

Ellie went on to share a little more of their journey. Her daughter Elodie has been diagnosed with a rare spindle cell tumour. After surgery, they had hoped for home but during a follow-up MRI, Elodie had a seizure and was readmitted.

“It’s relentlessly scary, and we’re running on adrenaline for sure, but I cannot tell you how much she already treasures her blanket. And the neck pillow is currently being used to keep her cannula hand propped up.”

“It’s like a big family here. So many shared experiences, everyone scared and putting on a brave face, but equally everyone happy to stop and give you a hug whilst you cry. You don’t know it until you go through it.”

We are deeply moved by Ellie’s words. Our Milly Bags are filled with both comfort and essential items, each bag is packed with love and support and is a reminder that families are not alone on this overwhelming and frightening journey.

To Ellie and Elodie we are holding you in our hearts, and sending love and strength to you both.

To everyone who supports Milly’s Smiles this is the difference you help us to make, every single day.

#MillysSmiles#KamransWard#OxfordChildrensHospital#ChildhoodCancerSupport#MillyBags#YouAreNotAlone#MakingADifference#FamiliesFirst

We are incredibly proud of our ongoing collaboration with the amazing TeamLuke Foundation.

Together, we’re reaching families in Newcastle and the surrounding area at a time when their world has completely changed forever, our Milly Bags make such a difference for families at a time when they really need it.

Last week marked the fifth delivery with TeamLuke making a total of 50 Milly Bags, and we’re so grateful to their brilliant team for making it happen on our behalf. Every Milly Bag delivered represents love, understanding, and the strength of working together to make a difference.

Thank you, TeamLuke, we think you are all incredible and your support means the world.

#MillysSmiles #TeamLukeFoundation #TogetherWeAreStronger #ChildhoodCancerSupport #MillyBags #MakingADifference #SupportAndStrength