Category: News

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.

Yesterday was a momentous day for Milly’s Smiles as we had the honour of being invited to the Houses of Parliament by our MP, Sarah Smith, to meet with the Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Ashley Dalton. The purpose of the invitation was to discuss the vital work we do in supporting children newly diagnosed with cancer and admitted to hospital.

Walking through the historic halls of Parliament was an overwhelming yet humbling experience. The weight of its history and significance was truly profound, and it was an incredible privilege to be there.

During our meeting, we were warmly welcomed by the Minister and joined by two Civil Servants responsible for delivering key aspects of the NHS Long Term Plan. Being able to share the impact of our work in Milly’s memory was an immensely proud moment. When I founded Milly’s Smiles nine years ago, I could never have imagined sitting in Parliament, engaging directly with Ministers, MPs, and policymakers.

In addition to highlighting the difference our work makes to families facing childhood cancer, we also discussed our perspectives on the recently reinstated Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce, which aims to improve cancer treatment, early detection, and research for young patients.

Following the meeting, we were given a tour of Parliament and had the incredible opportunity to sit in the House of Commons and observe a live debate. It was truly a day to remember and a significant step forward in raising awareness of the needs of children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 7 staff from the fundraising team at Siemens Energy, Manchester. As one of our Charity Partners for 2025, it was fantastic to show them around our unit, introduce them to our work and share the impact their support will have.

Giving potential fundraisers a tour of our unit is always a proud moment, it allows us to showcase just how much we have achieved over a short space of time. The team were particularly moved by our Quiet Room, a dedicated space for counselling bereaved parents, which is something we hold incredibly close to our hearts.

Making the most of their visit, the team assembled a Milly Bag, bringing with them a generous selection of toiletries and some beautifully hand-knitted elephants, which went straight into the bags they prepared. Their kindness and enthusiasm were truly appreciated.

We are always delighted to be chosen as a Charity Partner and even more so when staff take the time to visit us, gaining a deeper understanding of our work and seeing firsthand what their fundraising efforts will support.

We look forward to working closely with Siemens Energy throughout 2025!

We are thrilled to say that our Danceathon was a huge success. An amazing amount of £1,500, was raised which will fund just over 10 Milly Bags!

A huge thank you to Jess B Dance Fitness and her fantastic team for hosting such a brilliant event this weekend. The room was buzzing with energy, bursting with colour, and filled with over 30 amazing people dancing their hearts out for three whole hours!

With routines from Panache Dance Fitness, Zumba Fitness, and Zumba Toning, everyone threw themselves into the moves, making for a brilliant atmosphere with so many wonderful people who truly embraced the day.

A special mention to everyone who dressed up, the outfits were absolutely fabulous and really added to the fun! From neon leg warmers to retro tracksuits, they all looked the part. And of course, a huge shout out to the Spice Girls who brought an extra level of energy to the day!

A massive thank you to everyone who supported the event, whether by donating raffle prizes, selling tickets, or simply turning up and giving it your all. Your support means the world!

And finally, a special shoutout to Jess and her incredible team—you went above and beyond to make sure the event was a huge success, and we honestly can’t thank you enough.

Same time next year?!