As 2019 draws to a close, it becomes a time for reflection, to look back on our achievements of the last year.
We have continued to provide our Milly Bags to Ward 84, and since our first delivery in March 2016 we have sent 447 bags to the ward. We have also continued to support Alder Hey families and have provided them with 95 bags since our delivery in October 2018. In October 2019 we made the journey across the Pennines to Leeds Children’s Hospital, where we made our first delivery of 20 bags.
The cost of supplying our Milly Bags this year amounts to £31,120, this has only been possible because of amazing support from families, schools, companies and individuals. Without this support we quite simply could not provide this support at a time when it is most needed.
Milly’s Smiles is extremely lucky to have the support of a team of volunteers who work so hard for us, they deliver the bags to the hospitals for us, they pack the bags, they attend events on our behalf, they promote our charity far and wide and ultimately they allow the charity to run smoothly. Without them we would struggle to do what we do.
Whilst we consider 2019 to have been successful in terms of supplying our bags, you have to look at the real picture. 249 families have had their child diagnosed with cancer…… with all our hearts we wish there wasn’t a need for our bags. There are no words that can explain how it feels to hear those words, and to know that in that instance life has changed forever. We will always feel privileged that we can help at such a difficult time, we never take this for granted, and we know that this is only possible due to the tremendous support we receive.
The team at Milly’s Smiles would like to thank every single person who has believed in what we do and has supported us and allowed us to carry on. We hope that with your continued support we can continue to make a difference for many years to come.
On a personal note, as Milly’s mum, I would also like to thank everyone so very much for all their support, you are not only helping the charity but you are allowing me to continue to keep Milly’s name alive, for me there is no greater gift.
Wishing each and everyone of you a very peaceful and healthy new year.