Category: News

When I created Milly’s Smiles just a few months after losing Milly, I never imagined how the charity would look 7 years later.

Milly’s Smiles began as a small organisation which successfully became a registered charity, initially supporting Ward 84 (now 86) at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Our first Milly Bags were delivered in March 2016.

Fast forward 7 years and we now support 3 major children’s hospitals across the North of England, and have donated 1,415 Milly Bags at a cost of £198,100.

There is a lot to consider when taking on a new hospital, we look at the size of the ward and in particular their admission rates. We need to be sure that once we commit to giving our support, we are able to continue with this for the long term.

We have been speaking with Ward E39 at Nottingham Children’s Hospital over the last few weeks, they love what we do and the support our Milly Bags give to families, and they were very keen for us to offer the same support to their newly diagnosed families.

Today was a very proud day for Milly’s Smiles as we took our very first delivery of Milly Bags to Ward E39. It was lovely to meet all the team, who were so welcoming and very appreciative of our support.

Being able to give donate Milly Bags to hospitals is only possible because of all the wonderful support we receive from people, together we really do make a difference every single day.

Last night we attended our first awards ceremoney ever. It was the Hyndburn Business Awards 2023, where local businesses are recognised for their hard work and achievments.

We were finalists in the Not For Profit category and were up against some amazing charities who do wonderful work.

We were totally shocked when our name was called out as winners for 2023!

This is such an honour for us to have our hard work recognised – I am sure Milly will be beaming with pride.

I was so very proud to accept this on behalf my beautiful daughter who I miss every single day.

20 Milly Bags have been safely delivered onto Ward 3B at Alder Hey today by our driver Graeme.

We have been supporting Alder Hey for almost 4 years, and we have helped 345 families during what is one of the worst times of their lives.

We never ask or expect feedback from families, its the last thing on their mind, however it does totally warm our hearts when we do get a messaage or two.

Its a strange time when making up our Milly Bags, I often think about the families that one day will have to open this bag, and that really saddens me.

I truly wish there was no need for any of our Milly Bags. Sadly there is, and as long as there is we will continue to support newly diagnosed families in Milly’s memory.

We made our second delivery of the year to Ward 86 at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital today.

Graeme and John safely delivered 20 Milly Bags taking our total to 800 bags since March 2016.

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to generously donate, fundraise and give their time up so selflessly for us.

Together we make a difference every single day.

Upon their return to Great Harwood, Graeme and John enjoyed a well deserved cup cake!

We are always so grateful to people who fundraise for us. However, there are occasions where we are unaware of what people are doing to raise money, until the payment arrives. As as soon as that happens we will get in touch with the fundrasier straight away.

That was the case recently with Kirsten, and she sent us a lovely email about her reasons for choosing Milly’s Smiles …..

“I completed the fundraiser mentioned in your email because my niece had been diagnosed with leukaemia and received one of your Milly Bags.

She and my sister-in-law had been flown over from the Isle of Man for diagnosis, she was five and still in her school uniform.

They had nothing with them at all as they had no idea of the twists and turns that were coming their way that day.

Receiving a Milly Bag was so significant for them because it gave them things that were theirs in an unfamiliar and terrifying situation.

Not only things, but incredibly useful, thoughtful and comforting things which became invaluable to them.

She still uses it when she travels for treatment almost a year on.

While I am so wholeheartedly sorry for what happened to your beautiful daughter, what you are doing in her memory is absolutely magical.

Myself and my loved ones cannot thank you enough for the incredible work you do supporting families facing this turmoil.

As the anniversary of my niece’s diagnosis approaches, I fully intend to do another fundraiser for your wonderful charity and hope to fund at least another Milly Bag- fingers crossed!”

Receiving messages like this cannot be underestimated, to hear that we are helping newly diagnosed families during a horrendous frightening time is exactly why we do what we do.

Milly is making a difference every day to children and their families.

I hope that she is watching over with pride and love.

They that love beyond the world,

Cannot be separated by it.

Death cannot kill what never dies (William Penn)

At the age of 4, Theodore was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and was treated on Ward 84, where he received fifteen rounds of chemo. 

Arriving at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital meant Theodore and his family were 100 miles from their home. Mum Korinne told us “I cannot express how grateful we were to receive one of your bags with all the essentials to keep Theodore comfortable during his stay.” 

Theodore is now 7 and thriving, he is an active and athletic young boy and has expressed the desire to accomplish a Swim Run this year with his mum’s support.

The family live in the Lake District and there is a challenge called the Tadpole Round, which comprises of a 10km fell run and 700m open water swim across two of the lakes. Theodore has decided this is a brilliant challenge to take on for Milly’s Smiles, and a way to say thank you for their help, during such a difficult time. 

The Tadpole Round covers a distance of just under under 7 miles and the route itself has a total ascent of 795ft with a maximum elevation of 937ft. The start point is at the shingle beach to the North of Hause Point and the first leg is a swim across Crummock Water to Low Ling Crag. 

Next it’s along the shores of Crummock and Buttermere to Horse Close, then a swim across Buttermere to Hassness.

Finally, a run along the shore of Buttermere, through the village, up and through Rannerdale and back to the start. 

We are in complete awe of Theodore and this incredible challenge. We wish him lots of luck, and look forward to hearing how he does.