Author: Lorraine

Last September, I had the absolute pleasure of joining the adult tappers from Gillies Mar-Jan Stage School to rehearse for the 4th Shine for Sally Dance Extravaganza. Every Monday evening was filled with laughter, rhythm, and plenty of tapping as we prepared for the big event, which took place at the end of November last year.

Shine for Sally is a truly special event consisting of a charitable dance show in memory of a beautiful young lady, Sally, who sadly passed away from Ewing Sarcoma at just 14 years old. Sally was treated on Ward 84 at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she received her Milly Bag, which she loved, and Milly’s Smiles became her favourite charity.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to come to know Sally’s beautiful family, and I feel incredibly privileged to call them my friends. It’s strange, but I truly believe that in some way, our beautiful girls have brought us together.

The event itself was spectacular, with talented dancers and singers lighting up the stage and entertaining audiences across two fantastic performances.

Through all the hard work, passion, and love poured into the event, a remarkable £6,000 was raised! This incredible amount has been split between Milly’s Smiles and Derian House.

Last week, I had the honour of being presented with a cheque from all the wonderful dancers. A huge thank you to Sally’s amazing family for supporting us, for allowing me to be a small part of such a beautiful event, and for raising such a phenomenal amount of money for us. I just know that Sally will be so proud of her mum, her dad, and her gorgeous big sister.

Last week, we sent our third pallet of 20 Milly Bags over to Kamran’s Ward at Oxford Children’s Hospital, and we’re so pleased to say it arrived safely and without a hitch!

The bags were collected from the main entrance by the wonderful staff and taken straight up to the ward, ready to be given to families arriving on the ward for the very first time.

It was especially lovely to receive a message from the Ward Manager, who shared with us that when she walked into the four-bedded bay, “every child was using something from their Milly Bag. Two were brand-new patients and two a couple of months into treatment. We have also had lots of lovely feedback about them; the families are very, very grateful.”

Hearing this means the world to us. Knowing that Milly’s Smiles is able to make a difference at a time when families feel that their entire world has collapsed is why we continue this important work, we are humbled to be able to support so many families every single day.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes this possible, we know that what we do is very much a team effort, and we could not make the difference we do without such widespread incredible support.

Yesterday was another special day as we delivered 20 Milly Bags to Ward 3B at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, bringing our total number of bags delivered to Liverpool to an incredible 490. That’s 490 families across Liverpool, The Wirral, North Wales and the Isle of Man that we’ve been able to support via Alder Hey, during one of the most challenging times of their lives. We are truly so proud to be able to continue making this difference every single day.

This time, Graeme was joined by a new volunteer, Nick, who is no stranger to Milly’s Smiles! Nick is a member of Sabden Cricket Club and has been heavily involved in their amazing fundraising activities for us over the last few years. Nick’s first delivery went very smoothly, and he did a wonderful job!

A massive thank you to everyone who continues to donate to Milly’s Smiles, and to our fantastic delivery team, Graeme and Nick, for making sure the bags arrived safely.

Our SOULS group last month was a little different, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed out for a walk along the Tolkien Trail in the Ribble Valley. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the scenery was simply breathtaking. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, it was the perfect setting for reflection, connection, and moments of peace.

We took a short rest by the riverbank, soaking in the tranquility, sharing stories, and enjoying some refreshments. There was a quiet comfort in the stillness, a sense of togetherness that words can’t quite capture.

But the day didn’t end there. After our walk, we made our way to Mitton Hall for a truly wonderful Afternoon Tea. The room was filled with warm chatter, genuine laughter, and so much love. In that space, we found joy in each other’s company, a reminder that even in loss, there are moments of light.

We may be a group of bereaved parents and siblings, but together we find strength, comfort, and even joy, celebrating the small things in life that remind us of the love we carry forward. Our beautiful day was shared with beautiful people, brought together by our much-loved and deeply missed children.

Our SOULS group is completely free to attend and is open to anyone who has lost a child/sibling/grandchild. Please get in touch via email at hello@millyssmiles.org if you would like to come to our next group on Sunday 25th May.

It was a pleasure to welcome the lovely Sharon and her husband Ian into the unit today, as they popped in to hand-deliver a fantastic £150 donation, raised by the incredible team at Tesco Express, Earnshaw Bridge through a staff raffle!

We’re always blown away by the kindness of our community, and this thoughtful gesture means so much. Behind every pound raised is time and effort and we never take that for granted.

Every penny really does help us continue our work, making sure children who are newly diagnosed with cancer receive a Milly Bag at a time when they need it the most.

To Sharon, Ian, and the amazing Tesco Express team: thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. You’re helping us make a real difference, every single day.

HUGE congratulations to the incredible Carl and Andy, who recently took on the London Marathon, crossing the finish line with determination, courage, and strength.

Both runners absolutely smashed it… but the day wasn’t without its challenges. At mile 21, Andy was hit with severe heat exhaustion and had to receive urgent treatment from paramedics before bravely walking the final few miles to the finish line. He was later admitted to hospital for further care — a reminder of just how unpredictable and gruelling these events can be, no matter how well you train.

To simply get to the start line of the London Marathon takes huge commitment. To keep going when your body wants to give up is truly inspiring.

Carl and Andy, your resilience and dedication mean the world to us, you have both raised vital funds for Milly’s Smiles with strength, dedication and courage.

From all of us at Milly’s Smiles a massive THANK YOU.

Today, our delivery team, Graeme and Mandy made the journey to Nottingham Children’s Hospital, delivering 20 Milly Bags along with a selection of treats for the wonderful ward staff.

Despite facing significant delays due to a motorway closure, they arrived in good spirits and were greeted warmly by the incredible team on the ward. This was our first in-person delivery to Nottingham in quite some time, as we usually rely on pallets to navigate travel challenges.  However, we believe it’s important to maintain that personal connection where possible, and visits like today give us the opportunity to thank the incredible NHS staff and offer a few small tokens of our appreciation.

While at the hospital, Graeme and Mandy had the privilege of meeting a family who have recently received their Milly Bag. This beautiful family graciously posed for a photo, and dad shared that their Milly Bag was simply ‘fantastic.’ Being able to meet families is a rare and humbling experience, it reinforces our mission to ensure families of children newly diagnosed with cancer feel comforted, supported and less alone.

A huge thank you to the wonderful staff at Nottingham Children’s Hospital for their warm welcome, and to the brave families who allow us to be part of their journey. A huge thank you also goes out to our supporters, donors, fundraisers, and incredible volunteers, together we are able to make a difference every single day.

#MillysSmiles #ChildhoodCancerSupport #NottinghamChildrensHospital #MillyBags #Making a difference

In November 2021, our local Tesco Store in Great Harwood launched a simple yet powerful initiative – a community bookshelf where people could donate pre-loved books and pick up new reads in exchange for a donation to Milly’s Smiles.

What began as a small gesture of kindness has grown into something truly extraordinary. We are absolutely delighted to share that this bookshelf has now raised over £20,000 – an incredible amount that has directly supported more than 142 families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

We are incredibly grateful to Kerry, who has passionately organised and championed this project from the very beginning. Our heartfelt thanks also go to the Tesco store and its wonderful staff, who have continued to maintain and support the shelf, and of course, to our amazing local community – thank you for donating books, buying books, and giving so generously.

Together, you’ve turned a humble bookshelf into a lasting legacy of support, love, and care. From all of us at Milly’s Smiles – thank you.

Grief can be overwhelming, and for many, finding the right words to express the depth of loss can feel impossible. That’s why our monthly SOULS group offers a space where parents, grandparents and siblings can come together, not just to talk—but to create, reflect, and support one another in a way that feels natural.

Each month, we take part in a craft activity that allows us to focus our hands and minds, relieving the pressure of conversation. This month, we painted bird boxes, which were very kindly donated by North Lancs Training Group, each bird box was unique and painted with love. The colors, designs, and details carried so much meaning, reflecting precious memories and the unbreakable bond with our cherished children.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no expectation to share more than you feel ready to. Whether through quiet reflection, gentle conversations, or simply the act of creating together, this group provides a safe and understanding space for anyone navigating life after loss.

If you or someone you know would like to join us, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

#BereavementSupport #RememberingWithLove #CreativeHealing #YouAreNotAlone

Last week, Graeme and Mandy proudly delivered another 20 Milly Bags to Ward 86 at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. As they arrived, the dedicated staff were already waiting, ensuring a swift and seamless handover. While the delivery took just minutes, the impact of our Milly Bags will be felt for much longer.

Since March 2016, we’ve delivered an incredible 980 Milly Bags to Ward 86, providing comfort and support to 980 families facing one of the most challenging times of their lives. But a Milly Bag is so much more than just a bag.

Families have described it as “a hug in a bag”, a small but powerful reminder that they are not alone and that someone understands their journey and truly cares. Each bag is filled with love, support, and understanding, offering a sense of comfort when it’s needed most.

This achievement is only possible through dedication, careful planning, and a strong network of support. From fundraising to secure essential supplies, coordinating packing sessions, and managing deliveries, every step requires commitment and teamwork. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers and supporters, whose generosity and dedication make this initiative a reality.