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Jackie Rooney has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive of Derian House.

Jackie is a Registered Nurse and Queen’s Nurse, with 46 years’ NHS experience and a strong track record of senior clinical, operational and strategic leadership.

A key priority for Jackie will be leading our work to strengthen clinical quality, safety and governance and to ensure that the care we provide for children and families is consistently excellent.

Working closely with Karen Smith and the wider team, Jackie will lead the implementation of the clinical changes and improvements recommended within the Niche report. As Interim Chief Executive, she will have overall accountability for the organisation.

Most recently, Jackie served as Associate Director of Nursing for Risk, Governance and Patient Safety at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. She has also held senior leadership roles at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, including Director of Nursing for the Acute Division and Head of Nursing and Safeguarding, as well as senior nursing leadership roles within NHS England.

Jackie will be at the hospice tomorrow (Wednesday, 2 September), to meet the team ahead of formally starting with us on Wednesday, 9 September.

Jackie will work two-and-a-half days per week, although her time is likely to be front-loaded initially, with more time spent on site as she gets to know Derian and begins this work.

To enable Jackie to give significant focus to our clinical services and the improvement programme, the Trustees have asked me to continue leading our non-clinical services.

This includes Finance, Facilities, IT, HR, Income Generation, Communications and Marketing, and Retail. I will also continue to lead our relationships with key external partners and stakeholders.

I am sure you will all join me in giving Jackie a warm Derian welcome. I know there will be lots of opportunities to meet her over the coming weeks, and I look forward to working with her as we continue to move Derian forward.

The Southport family behind charity Elsie’s Story helped 64 families supported by Derian House Children’s Hospice enjoy a special day out at Chester Zoo on Saturday (22 August).

Jenni Stancombe, who founded Elsie’s Story in memory of her daughter, Elsie Dot, said it was an “honour” and a “privilege” to help families spend the day together and make special memories in her daughter’s name.

The day was made possible by a grant from Elsie’s Story and was the first-ever group wish delivered through Derian Wishes, Derian House’s new service helping make special wishes come true for children and young people.

From cheeky monkeys and big cats to elephants and penguins, there was plenty to see as families explored the zoo, enjoyed treats and activities and spent precious time together.

18-month-old James and his sister Amelia, age five, had fun making lots of memories together, and especially enjoyed seeing the monkeys.

“Thank you so, so much for allowing us to come to this amazing day,” said James’s mum, Samantha Morgan.

“As a family, we struggle to go to some places because of James’s conditions. To go for a day out, just like any other family, and to see James enjoy it and be so happy, is the best feeling.

James also has a big sister, Amelia, so it’s hard for us to do things that suit both children. But the zoo is the perfect day out for us all to enjoy.

“Derian House is so amazing and we are so grateful for everything you do. We are so glad that we have a community of people who understand us and make our children feel special.”

Jenni Stancombe, Founder of Elsie’s Story, based in Southport, said: “Elsie’s Story was established following the loss of my little girl Elsie Dot. Ultimately, we create smiles to fill every page of Elsie’s story. Being able to send Derian House families to the zoo was absolutely brilliant. Walking around the park, we’ve seen families smiling, and that’s everything that our charity is about. I feel absolutely privileged that Elsie’s Story has been able to help. I think it’s an honour to be able to give these families the chance to enjoy a day out at the zoo and create some special memories together.”

The idea for the day out came from Bill Molloy, whose granddaughter Isabelle was cared for by Derian House before she sadly died in 2021, aged two.

Gill Rabbett, Wishmaker at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “It was wonderful to see so many of our families enjoying a day together at the zoo in our first-ever group Derian Wish. We are incredibly grateful to Elsie’s Story for helping make it happen.

“Through Derian Wishes, we want every child and young person in our care to have the chance to experience something truly meaningful to them, and we love that this has given so many families the opportunity to share a wish together. Days like this give families the chance to relax, have fun and make memories together, and that is something really special.”

Find out more about Derian Wishes.

Our Life for a Life memorial book is now back at Derian House and can be found in the Reflection Room.

The book records the names and details of loved ones remembered through the Life for a Life scheme. Families can plant a tree in memory of someone special with a donation.

Over the years, the scheme has raised more than £18,000 for Derian House.

During #DyingMattersAwarenessWeek, we’re opening up conversations about death and dying.

At Derian House, we have always believed that giving a child a good end-of-life experience is just as important as the care they receive in life, and that families deserve compassionate support throughout their journey.  

That’s why we are encouraging you to talk openly about grief with families and to say their child’s name this Dying Matters Awareness Week. 

“You won’t remind us that they’re gone – we’re always thinking of them anyway.” 

Many parents wish people would continue to say their child’s name. We spoke to 70 bereaved families back in 2023 as part of our Say My Child’s Name campaign – watch the video to hear what they want you to know.

We created an easy guide on how to talk to someone who has lost a child, and here you can also find out more about our research: http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/bereavement 

As you know, at the hospice we provide personalised spaces for our families to say goodbye, remember, and reflect – including our Sunflower Rooms, the Reflection Room, and Reflection Garden.

We also work with MuchLoved, which offers online Tribute Funds giving families a space to celebrate a loved one’s life by sharing memories, photos, videos, music, and fundraising: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/in-memory-giving/ 

Join us this September for our Footsteps & Forget-Me-Nots Memory Walk – a family-friendly 6km walk filled with love, live music and reflection, starting from the hospice: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/footsteps-and-forget-me-nots/

Here are some further resources that can help you start the conversation in a way that works for you.

Thank you for helping us open up these important conversations and for supporting families when they need it most. 

Following the recent introduction of legislation from the Fundraising Regulator, we have updated our Complaints Policy to include how we will investigate and manage any complaint involving how we have handled and processed the data of our staff, patients, families, funders, etc.

Individuals have a statutory right to complain under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 about the processing of their data. As a result, we have updated our Complaints Policy in the following areas:

• Section 1 – Policy Statement
• Section 2 – Scope

You can access the updated Policy on our intranet page.

If you do receive a complaint in relation to how we have managed an individual’s information, you should treat this as you would any other complaint.

This will ensure their complaint is treated seriously and that senior leaders are informed as soon as possible. The complaint can then be formally acknowledged, recorded and investigated fully so the complainant is responded to within timescale.

It was shades on, sun cream out and spirits high as supporters joined the Derian House annual Morecambe Bay walk from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands. This marked 30 years of the much-loved fundraiser… and the participants did not disappoint, having raised an incredible £10,651.83 for the hospice!
Dressed in Derian green T-shirts, 91 walkers and 10 dogs set off across the seven-mile stretch on Saturday 25th April. At points, they even waded through knee-height water!
Amongst those taking part was Andy Privett, with his family dog, Ralph the Cockapoo. Andy’s 12-year-old son, Jacob, and his family are supported by Derian House. The Privetts were one of 13 families who were able to visit Walt Disney World Florida last year through the charity, courtesy of a mystery donor.
“I took part in Morecambe Bay Walk for Derian House to help me prepare for a much bigger challenge for Derian House later this year – the 30-mile Sahara Desert Trek. I got to meet some of my fellow desert trekkers, and get to know them before we take on the adventure of a lifetime.
“My son Jacob is an amazing little boy with such strength, resilience and he amazes me every single day. Which is why I’ll be walking across the Sahara Desert to raise as much money as I can for Derian House. But the challenge is also a chance for me to find myself, and take a break from a busy life as a parent of a child who needs complex care every single day.
“I really enjoyed the walk across the Bay for Derian House, it was really easy-paced and sunny too.”
Entry to the Morecambe Bay Walk is always free, and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 each in support of Derian House.

Derian House Children’s Hospice has been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following its latest inspection, recognising the charity’s high-quality, compassionate care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

Inspectors praised the hospice’s outstanding person-centred approach, describing the service as “exceptional” at putting children and families at the heart of care choices.

The report also praised facilities at the Chorley-based hospice, which includes 11 bedrooms for children and young people, family apartments, and specialist Sunflower Suites where families can spend time with their child after death.

Inspectors said the hospice environment felt “more like a home than a hospital.”

A team of inspectors visited the hospice, which supports more than 400 seriously ill babies, children and young people from across the North West, on 23 September, 2025, for an unannounced inspection.

During the assessment they spoke to staff, leaders, trustees and families who use Derian House. They also looked at care records, policies and procedures, complaints, incidents, and watched staff at work.

The CQC assesses services across five key areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Derian was rated Good in all areas, with particularly strong scores in caring and responsive.

The report states:

“The provider was exceptional at treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and in how they respected people’s privacy and dignity.”

Inspectors also highlighted the extraordinary care given to children and young people after death in the hospice’s Sunflower Suites. Families are supported to spend time with their child in a personalised and comforting environment, with staff adding meaningful touches such as favourite toys and children’s television programmes.

Families told inspectors that Derian’s care goes “above and beyond to support the whole family and not just the child,” including helping families make memories together through holidays, days out and special activities.

The inspection was carried out using the CQC’s new Single Assessment Framework, which assesses services against a wider range of quality statements and evidence sources than previous inspection models.

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House, said: “We are incredibly proud that the CQC has recognised the quality and compassion of the care delivered at Derian House every single day.

“This rating is a reflection of the dedication of our amazing staff and volunteers, and the trust that families place in us to care for their children at some of the most challenging times in their lives

“We’re particularly pleased as we were inspected under the CQC’s new framework, which assesses against a wider range of evidence sources, and therefore makes it more difficult than ever to achieve a Good rating.

“We feel very proud of the community of families, supporters and colleagues who together make Derian House such a special place. While we’re pleased to be rated Good, our ambition remains to achieve Outstanding, and we are already working on the areas identified for improvement.”

Read the full report here.

Derian dad and ‘The Little Things’ documentary maker Paul appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa on Saturday morning (February 21) to talk about the release of his new documentary which explores the relationships between bereaved dads at Derian House’s support group.

Paul travelled over to the BBC studio in Salford, alongside fellow Derian dad Jamie Berrisford, who features in the documentary, to chat to hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.

In the 18-minute documentary, ‘Voice Again’, released 20 February, the camera turns to dads who have lost a child, revealing the bonds they create at the hospice. The focus is the dad’s bereavement support group – a safe space where they can talk openly about grief over a cup of tea or a takeaway.

Read more on BBC online.

The mini documentary is free to watch on Old Swan Films and Derian House’s social media pages.

Wigan Warriors have kicked off 2026 with an unusual challenge to supporters: buy the club’s new charity kit without seeing it.

In a bold move that is deeply symbolic, the Warriors have partnered with Derian House Children’s Hospice and asked fans to show their solidarity by purchasing the limited-edition kit sight unseen, as a show of commitment to supporting children with life-limiting conditions in their community.

The kit, designed in Derian House’s signature green, was revealed only to players, sponsors and guests at the club’s pre-season dinner on Friday (30 January). Rather than unveiling it publicly, the club is asking supporters to buy in on trust – backing the cause, not the design.

With limited availability, supporters are being urged to act quickly, with the kit available in-store at Robin Park Arena and online via the Wigan Warriors shop.

The year-long partnership will see Wigan Warriors and Derian House working together to raise awareness and funds through match day bucket collections, player and staff involvement in hospice events, and a dedicated fixture on 19 April 2026, when the Warriors will finally wear the Derian House kit in public.

Fundraising was kick started at the pre-season dinner on Friday night, with a rugby ball signed by the Wigan Warriors squad auctioned off for £3,279.00.

Derian House currently supports 58 children and families from the Wigan area, and more than 400 families across the North West, providing specialist care, respite and emotional support at no cost to families.

At the heart of the partnership is a Wigan family who continue to be supported by the hospice.

Holly Prince, from Hindley, died aged five in April 2022 after being diagnosed with Bloom syndrome – a rare and incurable genetic condition affecting around 300 people worldwide. Derian House supported Holly and her family in the final weeks of her life.

Holly’s dad, Mark Prince, a lifelong Wigan Warriors supporter, said the club’s approach made the partnership even more meaningful.

“What Derian did for us in the final weeks of Holly’s life, and what they continue to do for our family, means more than I can put into words.

“To see Wigan Warriors not just backing the hospice, but asking fans to support Derian without even seeing the kit, says everything about what this partnership stands for. It’s about compassion, not colours.

“Derian means the world to us. It’s an extraordinary place with incredible staff, and it’s about so much more than end-of-life care – it’s about being there for families when they need it most.”

Derian House Chief Executive Karen Edwards OBE said the decision to keep the kit under wraps sent a powerful message.

“Every family we support has their own story, but what they all share is courage – courage from children, parents and siblings facing situations no one ever expects,” she said.

“While Derian House delivers the care, it’s the strength of the community that makes that care possible. By asking fans to buy this kit unseen, Wigan Warriors are inviting people to stand with our families, not because of how something looks, but because of what it represents.

“This partnership is a shared commitment – to raising awareness for families who are often unseen, to supporting children who deserve the very best care, and to making sure no family feels alone at the hardest moments of their lives.”

Wigan Warriors winger Liam Marshall, whose pre-season friendly yesterday (Sunday 1 February) saw the Warriors defeat Hull RUFC, also spoke at the club’s event on Friday.

He said: “I was lucky enough to visit Derian House before Christmas with some of the lads to deliver presents to the children. It really opened my eyes – it’s not what people expect when they hear the word ‘hospice’.

“Yes, there are sad times, but there’s also so much joy and incredible support. They’re there not just for the children, but for parents, siblings and grandparents too, with groups continuing to support families even after they’ve lost a loved one. They’ve made what could be such a sad place into a wonderfully magical one, where families can make special memories.

“For us to be able to support Derian House this year is fantastic, and we hope everyone gets behind the cause and grabs a kit while they can.”

Kris Radlinski, Chief Executive at Wigan Warriors, added:

“This club has always been about more than rugby. Asking our supporters to buy the kit without seeing it is about trust, values and community – and backing a charity that does extraordinary work for families across our town and region.”

League of Gentlemen creator and Derian House ambassador, Steve Pemberton, was crowned the strongest link on the BBC’s The Weakest Link on Saturday night, and will donate the £12,800 prize to Derian House.

“It’s an incredible cause and I’m delighted to give them that money,” said Steve, who grew up in Chorley, not far from the hospice building.

Steve made it all the way to the final round on the latest The Weakest Link, hosted by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, alongside fellow celebrity contestant, BBC Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli, and was crowned the strongest link on Saturday 17 January.

“That last round was like all the other rounds combined. It was really tense, but I’m really pleased – and really pleased for the charity,” Steve continued.

“Derian House Children’s Hospice, is in Chorley, Lancashire, which is where I’m from. They support children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. I grew up very close to the site where Derian House now stands. In fact, I used to play football on the field beside where the hospice is now. Derian House is well known in the area and nationally for providing the very best care for children and their families – and I am very proud to support everything they do.”

Multi award-winning actor and producer Steve is a long-standing supporter of Derian House, the hospice that cares for 400 families each year, and has made several generous donations to the charity over the years. He is also an executive producer of Derian House documentary, ‘The Little Things’, which is available to watch on Amazon Prime in the UK and the US.

Steve joined fellow celebrities Cherry Healey, Sian Welby, Jason Mohammad, Ashley Storrie, Dean McCullough, Sanjeev Kohli and Charley Marlowe on Saturday night’s show.

Calling all Derian dog owners! Dig out your walking boots this February and complete 100km throughout the month, whilst raising a minimum of £100.

Not only will your dedicated dog receive a free fundraising pack including a progress tracker, poster and bandana, but there’s also prizes to be won in three key categories!

• Picture Pawfect – voted for by Facebook friends
• FURthest Walked – for those who go the extra mile
• ‘Mutts’ Amount Raised – go and smash your target!

Register your interest or sign up today: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/top-dog/

Fresh from his appearance on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Manchester rapper Aitch swapped bushtucker trials for plenty of smiles, and surprised his local children’s hospice with lots of gifts in time for Christmas.

Aitch stopped by at the hospice on Wednesday (17 December) to hand out gifts on behalf of Porsche Bolton, and took the time to chat with every child, young person, family, and staff member at the hospice – earning himself the nickname “Father Aitch-mas” for the day.

The chart-topping rapper, known for hits like “Rain” and “Baby” and for his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the deeply personal track “My G” dedicated to his sister, who has Down’s Syndrome, made sure no one was left out.

The I’m a Celebrity star signed autographs and posed for photos as he encountered plenty of starstruck fans.

And not one person was left forgotten, as the rapper left a special gift for the family of Luke McCaughery, a valued member of the Derian Dynamos sports team, who passed away aged 16 earlier this year.

Aitch signed a custom Derian Dynamos T-shirt for Luke’s parents, Lauren and Lee, which read: ‘RIP Luke, legend. Love Aitch.’

Our incredible army of volunteers were treated to a Christmas cracker of an afternoon, as we celebrated them at a festive bash to remember at Derian House.

The bunch of selfless superstars never ask for anything in return of giving up their valuable time, expertise and skills in a multitude of roles here at the hospice, so we wanted to treat them at the most special time of the year.

We enjoyed Turkey and all the trimmings while we heard some terrible cracker jokes, followed by a hilarious festive whistling game that got our vollys singing along, and a very competitive quiz.

Join us next Thursday, 18th December for our Lights of Love festive open evening – get your tickets here.

Wander through our enchanting forest of 100 Christmas trees – each beautifully decorated and sponsored by our amazing supporters.

Meet Santa, enjoy festive stalls, sip on delicious refreshments, and soak up the music of a live brass band.

Bring the whole family – even the furry ones!

Tickets are selling fast! Children under 12 and dogs go FREE, and adult tickets are just £3.50.

Tickets must be booked in advance – don’t miss out on this magical night!

Grab your tickets now: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/kngzwbgdylox

Across the weekend, our annual Christmas parties brought together dozens of Derian families to celebrate this very special time of year.

Our annual party for our younger children and their families was an absolute blast this year at Academy at Worden! There was so much festive fun and lots of smiles all round.

And our Lodgers celebrated in style at Chorley Football Club – they had the BEST time!

A huge thanks to everyone who helped make the events a success.

Influencer family @itsthehillarys stopped by on Friday (5 December) with piles of presents for our children and young people just in time for Christmas.

TikTok’s favourite family – Mark, Ellie, Marcus, and baby Marco – took a tour of the hospice, learned more of what we do here, and met some of our children and young people – including Amelia and Macy.

Head over to their TikTok where you can watch their visit to Derian House: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsthehillarys

Tickets are still available to book for Lights of Love this Friday.

Featuring your favourite Christmas carols performed by The Rawstorne Singers as well as music from the Singitbig choir, and more! Refreshments and mince pies will be available to enjoy following the service and our popular selection of Derian House charity Christmas cards will also be on sale at the event.

Come along and support Matthew Valentine, 16, and his family, who will be switching on the Cathedral’s Christmas lights.

We have introduced a small ticket price* this year to help keep this Christmas tradition alive, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity.

Book your tickets here: Lights of Love Carol Service at Blackburn Cathedral event tickets from TicketSource

*If you would prefer to donate on the night, or support us in another way, the ticket price can be removed and tickets can still be booked for free. 

With just 44 days until Christmas, we’re expecting an increase in supporters asking what our families would like as gifts.

This means now is the perfect time to add any last-minute requests to our Derian House Amazon Wish List.

If you would like to request items for the Wish List, please email kerry.salmon@derianhouse.co.uk with the following information:

• Item link
• Quantity needed
• A brief explanation of why the item is beneficial to the Hospice

Our very own Wish Tree is now in Reception. Please spread the word to friends and family!

Supporters are welcome to visit the hospice, take a tag from the tree, purchase the corresponding gift, and return it with the tag attached.

Join us for a night of festive carols and mince pies at our annual Christmas concert at Blackburn Cathedral on the evening of Friday 5 December at 7.30pm.

The service includes festive readings, Christmas carols and performances by The Rawstorne Singers and The Singitbig Choir.

All families, staff, volunteers, and supporters are welcome to attend our Lights of Love Carol Service, however this year we are asking for a minimum suggested donation of £5 per ticket.

We appreciate that Christmas can be an expensive time of year, please give what you can.

Today we say goodbye to John Boe, who led our Facilities and Infrastructure for almost two years.

We wish him a very happy retirement from everyone at Derian House, and hope he enjoys lots of walks in the Lakes, baking pies, carving his beloved shepherd’s crooks, and spending more time with his family.

Our annual newsletter, Stories and Smiles, and our Christmas shop and events calendar are available now!

Read about all the amazing things we have been up to this year, and find out more about upcoming events – as well as ticking off your Christmas list in our festive shop.

You can pick your copies up in reception from today.

On Friday 22nd August we are holding an event in the garden to celebrate the launch of our hospice documentary, The Little Things, on Amazon Prime.

We have over 50 guests attending the event and need to ensure there is adequate parking available at the hospice for their arrival.

Any staff on the early shift are welcome to park at the hospice, but please keep the main carpark free by parking only down the side of The Lodge or over on the Vinten side of the carpark.

We are politely requesting that all other staff arriving from 8am onwards park at TC’s Sports Bar, Chancery Fields, Astley Village, Chorley, PR7 1DG until after the event finishes (approx 2pm).

Richard has very kindly offered to operate a shuttle service into work from 8am.

Thank you for you cooperation with this, it is much appreciated.

Find out more about The Little Things documentary coming to Amazon Prime.

In preparation of our feature-length Derian House documentary hitting Amazon Prime in the UK and US next Friday 22nd August, we’ve adorned 50 buses with our official film poster to spread the word.

Over the next few weeks, you may just see The Little Things film poster across a double-decker if you’re in Manchester, Oldham, Preston or Wigan.

If you see us, take a photo and make sure to tag us in your Instagram story!

Derian House Children’s Hospice has appointed a new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Paul Morton has taken on the top job and plans to ensure the charity continues to become the gold standard for children’s hospice care, setting the benchmark for others across the UK.

Derian’s previous Chair of trustees Karen Swindley retired from her position earlier this week, after nine years’ service.

Under her watchful eye, Derian House earned a rating of Outstanding from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), had a £1.7m refurbishment, and introduced free holidays for families.

Paul said he will build on the great work already done and looks forward to leading the Board of Trustees on the charity’s next exciting chapter.

Paul joins Derian following a career as a global healthcare leader spanning four decades.

He has worked at the highest level at some of the biggest private healthcare and medical technology companies across the world.

In his free time, the dad of three grown up children, who lives with his wife Nicky in Euxton, Chorley, also fosters Guide dogs, is a member of Euxton Parish Council, and serves as a Magistrate at Cumbria and Lancashire Family Court.

He has a raft of experience on charity boards, with a focus on building communities and helping people to create opportunities, enabling them to thrive whatever their circumstances.

He said: “I’ve had a base in Euxton for many years and Derian House has always been there. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted get involved, but had never had the time before now having been so busy in my careers.

“The amazing and important work Derian does with families fits in with my thinking and my beliefs. I have always strived to ensure that children have the best opportunities, whatever they are going through, and whatever that may look like to them.

“I’m absolutely honoured to have been given the chance to be involved in influencing the future of this incredible charity and I am looking forward to utilising all of my experience and knowledge to help Derian House thrive and innovate.”

Karen Edwards, Chief Executive of Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Paul to the Derian family. He brings with him not only a wealth of professional experience but a deep-rooted passion for helping children and families live their best lives.

“We’re excited for the future and look forward to working with Paul to continue delivering the very best care and support to families who need us.”

Karen Swindley, former Chair of the Board of Trustees at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “I wish Paul every success in taking over the reins and leading the board of Derian House forward from the amazing place we have taken it to.”

Chair of Trustees, Karen Swindley, who has dedicated nine years of her time – a third of the hospice’s existence – will be retiring from the Board of Trustees at Derian House Children’s Hospice.

Under her guidance, the charity has gone from strength to strength – achieving an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission and strengthening Derian House’s reputation as a leader in children’s hospice care.

As Chair of the Board, Karen helped steer major initiatives, including the £1.7million refurbishment of the hospice building and gardens in 2019, and the development of the Derian on Holiday service, enabling families to enjoy precious time away together, free of charge.

Now stepping back from her role, Karen is looking forward to enjoying more time with family and friends.

“It has been an absolute honour to serve as the Chair of Trustees at Derian House,” said Karen, whose career in the NHS spanned 35 years, before she retired two years ago from her role as Chief People Officer at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“Working alongside such passionate, talented people – from staff and volunteers to my fellow trustees – has been incredibly rewarding. I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved together, especially seeing Derian House recognised nationally for the outstanding care it provides.

“Everyone hears children’s hospice, and they think that it must be a sad place. And yes, Derian House does have some sad moments, but there is also so much joy there too. It’s filled with children and young people who are being given experiences that they wouldn’t ordinarily have. Our teams go above and beyond to make sure families make the most of every moment and so it can also be a very happy place to be.

“The first time I visited Derian House was for an open day and craft fair at the hospice about 20 years ago. The hospice has links to my family as my nephew used Derian House’s services – so I already knew what the charity did. I have always been a public servant, and for me, it has always been about giving something back. I joined the Board of Trustees in December 2016 becoming Chair early in 2017.

“I joined Derian House at a difficult time for the hospice. I remember being in my first ever Board meeting with the other Trustees and discussing the outcome of a recent Care Quality Commission inspection which had come back as ‘requires improvement’. To come from that, now to a rating of ‘outstanding’ is amazing. I remember that it took a very long time for the results of that last inspection to come back, because it’s so unusual for an organisation to jump to such a high rating in one inspection so there was a lot of scrutiny over the outcome. When we finally heard the news it just blew us all away – that we’d been able to achieve that.

“Because of having such a broad remit in my executive role in the NHS and knowledge of the Care Quality Commission, it has meant that I have been able to understand every part of the business – whether its human resources, quality, finance – it’s all essential to making sure things run as they should for our families. I hope I have been able to put that experience to good use during my time with Derian.

“I feel incredibly proud of the organisation and what it does. Derian House is above and beyond respite care. And the charity is now so innovative in so many ways. One of my favourite things about the charity is the holiday lodges, where Derian families can have a free week’s holiday each year. I feel honoured to have been part of this journey and to see how far we have come.

“I’m going to miss Derian House, it has been a huge part of my life for almost 10 years. I have so many memories there. A truly unforgettable moment for me was when a mystery donor decided to gift a fully paid for Disney holiday for 13 of our families, I’m not ashamed to admit I cried when I heard! I’ll also miss the Lights of Love service each December, a lovely event and the start of Christmas for many, when our community comes together to watch one of our families light up the Christmas tree.

“Now that I’m stepping down, I’m looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, including my husband, Barry, and our two dogs Alfie and Mitzi. We’ll be spending lots of time doing DIY in our home as we have just recently moved. I’m also looking forward to spending more time catching up with friends.

“It has been an absolute privilege. I want to say thank you to my fellow Trustees, who give up their time for such a fantastic cause. I also want to thank all the Derian House staff and volunteers, you are all amazing. Everyone is dedicated to what Derian does, and have made it the wonderful place that it is. I wish everyone all the best for the future. I feel so very proud of Derian House and all those who work there and those who support us. I hope that the charity continues to grow and prosper in the future.”

Derian House has now appointed a new Chair of the Trustee Board, Paul Morton.

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House, paid tribute to Karen’s service, saying: “I have enjoyed working with Karen, she has been a huge support for me especially in the early days of my role as Chief Executive here at Derian House. Karen has brought wisdom, compassion and a deep commitment to everything she’s done here at the hospice. Her time as Chair has been instrumental in shaping our vision and ensuring we deliver on our promise to children and families.

“We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and all she has done to strengthen the hospice. On behalf of everyone at Derian House, I thank her sincerely and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.”

When Angela Danby bought a book of raffle tickets to support her local children’s hospice, she never thought she would be a winner.

But on Friday (27 June), Angela – who was preparing to go out for a meal to celebrate her daughter’s birthday that night – was surprised at her front door with the news she had won the £5,000 jackpot in the Derian House Summer Raffle.

Astounded Angela cried out: “I’ve got my rollers in!” before hugging staff from the hospice who had travelled to her home carrying giant numbers to break the good news.

£1,000 was awarded to the second prize winner, £500 to the third prize winner, and 20 runners-up won prizes of £25 in the raffle that ran from March to June.

With entries flying in from as far as Devon and Scotland, the raffle launched by the Chorley children’s hospice sold 20,637 tickets – raising a phenomenal £31,170 for the charity’s children and young adults.

And it wasn’t just ticket sales that boosted the total – the charity was inundated with donations from kind-hearted supporters that amounted to £11,533.

Winner of the top £5,000 prize is Angela Danby, a public speaker and former journalist, who lives in Rufford with her husband, Will Danby, daughter Sophia, 22, son William, 24, and rescue cat George Walter.

She said: “I was just out in the garden when the Derian House team appeared holding up the £5,000 number cards. I was moving things around as we were preparing for the scarecrow competition the next day. I wasn’t expecting it, I had forgotten I’d entered. In fact I first thought it was a scam. I was getting ready to go out – I had no makeup on and I had my rollers in!

“The surprise couldn’t have come at a better time. We all went out for food to Penelope’s in Birkdale for my daughter Sophia’s birthday, and we took out grandma too who is 90. We all had celebratory cocktails – it was a really lovely night.

“I’m going to give some of the money to my children to help towards a deposit on their first home. But some of it will definitely be going back to Derian House. They do such amazing work. And when my dad passed away two years ago, he wanted some of the money from the funeral to go to Derian House. So we’re all big supporters of the hospice. I just can’t believe it, thank you so much.”

The Derian House summer raffle closed for entries on midnight on 20 June 2025.

Sarah Proctor, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “Angela’s surprise and joy at winning £5,000 was absolutely wonderful to see. Even George Walter the cat came to have a look. We hope she had a wonderful birthday meal with her daughter.

“The amount of money raised in the Derian House summer raffle will make a real difference to seriously ill children and young people from across the North West. It will cost £6 million to run Derian House this year and we rely heavily on the generosity of our supporters as we only receive a small amount of this in NHS funding.”

For full terms and conditions of the raffle visit: https://www.derianraffle.co.uk/terms-conditions/

An explosion of colourful paints covered hundreds of runners who took part in the brand new Derian House Colour Run on Saturday (28 June) to raise money for children whose lives are too short.

Donning vibrant props, sunglasses, and glitter face paint – people of all ages and abilities took part in the family fun run on the field beside the hospice, based in Astley Village, Chorley – raising an incredible £21,531.63 for Derian House.

The Colour Run kicked off with a fun Zumba session with instructor Sylvia Skinner alongside Derian House’s mascot, Danni, to get everyone warmed up and ready to go.

There were plenty of smiles as everyone crossed the finish line, each receiving their very own Colour Run medal, provided for free by John Harrison Sports Ltd of Leyland.

Junior, 16, who visits Derian House, took part in the Colour Run with his younger sister Bella, 11, mum Belinda, and nan Tina.

Junior said: “It was a wonderful and fantastic experience. I had a super day and loved how messy I could get – my wheelchair still has some paint on it!”

Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle made an appearance to show his support for the charity.

And participants enjoyed refreshments, including ice creams provided by Ramzy’s Whippy, at the event sponsored by Vincents Solicitors.

Kerry Salmon, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to all the runners, volunteers, businesses, sponsors and staff who helped make Derian’s first ever Colour Run a success. It was such a vibrant and memorable day, and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year.

“Care is free to families at Derian House, but it will cost £6million to run the hospice this year. We rely on our kind-hearted supporters to raise 70p in every £1 as we only receive a small amount of funding from the government.”

Hospice leaders from across Greater Manchester are heading to Parliament today to ask MPs to support their calls to reform the funding model for hospices.

Since 2020 hospices in Greater Manchester have seen their total costs increase by 33%, with most of this cost having to be met by fundraising from the local community.

Now, the Greater Manchester Hospices Provider Collaborative, made up of Greater Manchester’s adult and children’s hospices, is asking MPs to sign a joint letter to the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, calling for the government’s new 10-year health plan to include commitments to improving palliative and end of life care, and reforming the hospice funding model.

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire, said: “Hospices play a vital part in our healthcare system, but this care is at risk. Increasing demand, long term underinvestment and rising costs, mean many hospices are struggling to maintain their services. This, in turn, places more demands on the NHS.

“We are travelling to London today to meet with MPs to ask for support for fairer funding for hospices. We want their support to reform the funding model for hospices with a new 10-year health plan. Currently £11.7bn is spent on health care for people in the last year of life in the UK, but 80% of that funding is spent in hospitals. We believe this money could be better used by investing in hospice care, which currently only receives 4% of this funding.

“We are forever grateful for our community for doing so much to support Derian House Children’s Hospice, but we shouldn’t have to depends on our supporters as much as we do to fund these essential services for children.

“By investing in hospice care, we can reduce hospice admissions and make it more likely that people can die in their place of choosing. It is better for people, their families and the NHS.”

In Greater Manchester, hospices rely on their local communities to raise two thirds of their total funding. Demands on hospice services are only set to increase and the current funding model means they need to ask more and more of their communities every year – at a time when the cost of living is at an all time high.

The Government has made a commitment to invest £100m in additional capital spend in hospices over the next two years, which has been welcomed by Greater Manchester’s hospices, but only offers a short term solution. Long term reform is needed to protect hospice services.

The parliamentary event has been sponsored by Josh Simons MP, Member of Parliament for Makerfield.

A little reminder that December payday is Friday 20th December – early in time for Christmas.

A Paediatric Nurse who specialises in making sure children and their families receive the best care at the end of their lives has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

Sue Ward walked through the doors of Derian House Children’s Hospice 13 years ago as a Registered Nurse – and since completing her Masters Degree in 2020, is one of the first Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPS) to operate within a hospice environment.

The Queen’s Nurse is a prestigious and historic title which is given to nurses who are delivering and leading outstanding care and is awarded by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).

The title is open to registered nurses with more than five years’ experience working in the community. Managers and patients provide feedback about applicants, which is assessed along with their application.

“Becoming a nurse has always been my dream since being a young child,” said Sue.

“The day I qualified as a Paediatric Nurse, 14 years ago, was one of the proudest moments of my life. And now, I am so very proud of my role as one of the first Advanced Clinical Practitioners within a hospice environment. Seeing the difference my role makes to Derian House families is a huge achievement.

“As a nurse, I am constantly striving to achieve high standards of practice and delivering excellent patient-centred care to all our families – making sure all care is tailored to the child and their family’s needs.

“I am proud to be an ambassador for nursing, whether it has been working in an acute environment on the ward, caring for sick children, or supporting children and their families when they receive a palliative diagnosis.

“I am very aware there are few nursing professionals with skills and experience required to provide children’s palliative care in the community. My personal vision is that every baby, child, young person, and their families, should receive the best palliative nursing care by a knowledgeable and skilled nurse, within their preferred place of care.

“To have received the Queen’s Nurse title means the absolute world and is the most amazing achievement of my nursing career. The award will allow me to continue my commitment to improving paediatric palliative care across the region.”

Catherine Randall, Chief Nurse at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “Congratulations to our incredible colleague, Suzanne, who has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Nurse title – it is a great honour.

“Your dedication, compassion and commitment to excellence in nursing inspires us all. We are so proud of you.”

We took home gold at this year’s Chorley Flower Show after our garden wowed the judges this weekend (26, 27, and 28 July).

The vibrant display, created by our Derian House team and its army of volunteers, told the story of Build-A-Forest – our campaign to rebuild our woodland areas after we had to have more than 150 trees cut down in its gardens due to ash dieback disease.

Named “giving nature a helping hand”, the garden featured saplings donated by the Woodland Trust, a selection of alpine plants, a handmade pond, and recycled materials made from the trees that were cut down in the hospice gardens – including a sculpted wooden hand made by Ken in Estates.

Derian House’s Build-A-Forest campaign is still ongoing, and thanks to our generous supporters, hospice volunteers have been able to plant 250 new trees in the gardens.

Cameron Murray, Communications and Marketing Manager at Derian House, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together to see Derian House’s entry at the one of the most popular horticultural shows in Lancashire.

“It was a real Derian team effort – thank you to everyone, from staff to our wonderful volunteers, who helped make our garden look as fantastic as it did.

“And thank you to everyone who has supported our Build-A-Forest campaign so far. With your help, we have been able to begin to replenish our woodland areas so that our families can enjoy them now and years into the future.”

Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader of Chorley Council, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed chatting to everyone at Chorley Flower Show. The community gardens in particular are spectacular this year. I would like to thank everyone who contributed and it’s really important that we maintain our partnerships with charities like Derian House who do such great work.”

Chorley Flower Show is a three-day flower-filled family event set in Astley Park where visitors can see award-winning gardens plus speak with gardening experts.

A dedicated children’s nurse is taking on a mammoth cycle to celebrate Children’s Hospice Week 2024.

Francesca Lennon, from Buckinghamshire, will cycle 54 miles each day – representing the 54 children’s hospices in the UK.

She will visit seven hospices over seven days and will complete her epic challenge at Derian House Children’s Hospice on Sunday.

The challenge will raise money for Together for Short Lives, the charity that looks after all of the country’s children’s hospices, and will be split between each hospice.

Francesca worked as a children’s nurse in the NHS and children’s hospices before setting up CHAT UK – a project to raise awareness and funds for all children’s hospices across the country.

She will set off from Derian House at 9am on Sunday, 23 June, returning that afternoon to be cheered on by supporters, hospice staff and families.

The fundraiser is taking place during Children’s Hospice Week (17-23 June 2024), the UK’s annual awareness week for children’s hospices and palliative care services, run by Together for Short Lives.

This is the second time Francesca’s challenge has come to Derian House. In 2022, she took on a mammoth 3200-mile cycle during Children’s Hospice Week in 2022, visiting every children’s hospice in the UK and raising over £80,000 for Together for Short Lives.

Francesca, from Chenies in Buckinghamshire said: “I know first-hand that caring for a child with serious health needs 24/7 is emotionally and physically exhausting. Every day in my job, I get to meet the most incredible children and families, and I see just how life-changing support from children’s hospices are for them. They will push me on to cross the finishing line once again.”

Caroline Taylor, Director of Income and Engagement at Derian House, said: “Children’s Hospice Week is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the work we do at Derian House. The cycling challenge will be a definite highlight of the week. Francesca’s story is one that has touched us all and we cannot wait to celebrate her arrival in Chorley.”

Alongside Derian House Children’s Hospice, Francesca is also cycling to and from Demelza, Acorns Children’s Hospice, Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm, Tŷ Hafan, Rainbows, Martin House, and Helen and Douglas House.

Nick Carroll, Director of Fundraising at Together for Short Lives added: “Francesca is, quite simply, one of the most inspiring people we know. Not only is she there for seriously ill children and families in her job, but she is also going the extra mile for them in this incredible challenge. It is a privilege to have her support, and we will be cheering the whole team on as they also help raise important awareness of the role children’s hospices play and why they urgently need more support from whichever party forms the next government.”

To support Francesca and raise money for hospices like Derian House, visit https://www.justgiving.com/chatuk.

To celebrate Volunteer’s Week (3-9 June), our longest running volunteer Val Sharp has been in the news after being honoured at the future King’s royal party.

Val has featured on BBC News online, the Lancashire Evening Post, and the Burnley Express after her visit to the Royal Garden Party, hosted by Prince William, at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, 21 May.

Val will also be live with Graham Liver on BBC Radio Lancashire tomorrow morning (Tuesday) – tune in from 7:40am.

You can read the stories below:

BBC News

Lancashire Evening Post

Burnley Express

Val was nominated by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Amanda Parker JP, to receive an invitation to the royal event after learning about her length of service during a visit to Derian House at the hospice 30th anniversary open day.

MORE than eight out of 10 parents whose child has died said they feel sad that people don’t speak about their son or daughter, a new study into child loss has found.

Some bereaved parents even reported people crossing the street to avoid them and said they have lost friends because people don’t know how to act.

The research – conducted by Derian House Children’s Hospice and thought to be one of the largest studies of bereaved parents in the UK in recent years – found that 87% of parents felt nobody, other than close family, talks about their child anymore.

Researchers at the charity spoke to 70 families whose loss spanned more than three decades.

The over-riding finding was that that bereaved families desperately want you to talk about their child, and that nothing anyone can say will ever be as bad as simply avoiding the subject.

The research has been used by the charity to launch a campaign called “Say my Child’s Name”, which aims to tackle the stigma around child loss.

It has used the families’ own words to create a practical how-to guide for friends and family to help them know what to say and what not to say (see guide here: www.derianhouse.co.uk/bereavement)

A powerful video has also been created to spread the message on social media, which will launch at 9pm tonight. Watch here: Say My Child’s Name – YouTube.

Kiki Deville, Patron of Derian House Children’s Hospice, whose son Dexter died of Zellweger Syndrome in 2007, aged just one month and three days-old, said: “When your child dies, after a while nobody says their name anymore, and that really hurts.

“What we desperately want people to know is that speaking about our child won’t upset us or remind us that they’re gone – we are always thinking about them anyway. To a bereaved parent, our child’s name is the sweetest word in the whole world and we love nothing more than speaking about them.”

A total of 89 per cent of parents (62 people) said the effect worsened gradually over time and 64 per cent (45 people) even felt their child had been completely forgotten by family, friends and acquaintances.

59 per cent (35 people) per cent said their workplace didn’t understand. And many said medical professionals did not know how to speak to them sensitively following the loss of their child.

“We’re in a group that nobody wants to be part of,” said one parent in the research. “When I go out with my friends who have children as soon as I talk about my child who has died it becomes so awkward and uncomfortable for them. I feel so out of place at times.”

Derian House Children’s Hospice will use the results of the survey to educate the public and professionals on how they can help bereaved families.

This Christmas the charity is creating free personalised ink stamps for any bereaved parent, to help them remember their child when signing Christmas cards – an area they admitted to struggling with.

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are passionate about breaking down barriers and opening up the conversation around child loss at Derian House. Now, thanks to the generosity and bravery of the 70 families who opened their hearts to speak to us, we have been able to create a practical guide for everyone on how to speak to someone who has suffered the loss of a child.

“Nobody wants to upset someone whose child has died and so many people opt for the safe option and say nothing. What our families have told us is that this is the worst thing they could do – it makes them feel isolated and hurt.

“We are committed to spreading the Say my Child’s Name message, not only to help our families, but also to provide a useful resource for the general public and professionals.”

Two sisters in their 70s have returned to their volunteering roles at their local children’s hospice – 30 years after their first shift.

Susan Sidebotham and Gillian Summerfield, of Chorley, arrived at Derian House Children’s Hospice in 1993 as two of the charity’s first ever volunteers.

The sisters eventually said goodbye to the hospice due to work and family commitments, but returned in October this year – during the hospice’s 30th anniversary year – to pick up where they left off.

Susan and Gill have been helping out for just a few hours a week with cleaning, washing up, and preparing food in the kitchen for the hospice families.

“We first heard about Derian House when the hospice was being built,” said Susan Sidebotham, 77, a retired civil servant.

“My sister and I came along when it had opened to see if they needed any volunteering help, and so we both started coming in the evening to help out with the cleaning duties. My sister and I had our very own tabards. I remember that we sewed little motifs onto them – mine had a teddy bear on and Gill’s had a clown.

“The hospice was much smaller back then and not quite as modern – I remember that it was fully carpeted. But I would say that the sensory room today is still as relaxing as I remember the original room to be.

“In the end, we made the decision to leave Derian House due to our other commitments with work and family at the time. It is only now, so many years on, and I saw that the hospice was looking to recruit some new volunteers. We’re retired now, so I said to my sister – let’s have a go! And here we are, after all these years.

“I think that it is absolutely marvelous that Derian House has been helping families for 30 years,” said Susan.

“The charity is so well known now throughout the country – it does feature quite frequently on the television. I just think it is an incredible place. I hope I can volunteer here for quite some time.”

Susan and her sister Gill both fit their volunteering hours in around their busy lifestyles – taking care of grandchildren and going to the gym.

“I wanted to volunteer at Derian because I had young daughters at the time and I felt I wanted to give something back,” said Gill Summerfield, 71, who is also a retired civil servant.

“So we started coming to the hospice in the evenings to do a bit of cleaning. The hospice has grown so much. I remember how different the kitchen and dining room looked when we were there, much smaller. I remember the swimming pool back then too.

“Then this year we saw that Derian House was on the hunt for new volunteers and so we decided to apply. There is such a lovely atmosphere at Derian House because everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I think a lot of people hear ‘hospice’ and automatically think it is a sad place, but it’s a wonderful happy place. I think it’s fantastic that the hospice is still here for families after it first opened 30 years ago.”

Frances Lees, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Derian House, said: “It’s fantastic that Susan and Gill have decided to return to support the families of Derian House all these years later – and during our 30th anniversary year too! They are both fantastic volunteers, we are very lucky to have them.

“There are so many good things about volunteering – it’s a great way to make new friends, learn something new, and do something for a good cause. Our volunteers saved us more than £100,000 in staff costs last year – we simply couldn’t do what we do without them!”

Derian House, based in Chorley, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Find out more: www.derianhouse.co.uk

Find out more about volunteering at Derian House: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/volunteer-for-us

Our new Director of Clinical Services (designate) Catherine Randall will be starting work at Derian House on 1 September.

Catherine will work two days per week throughout September as she completes her induction process and gets to grips with what is expected from her. During this time she’ll also get to know the teams across Derian.

From the 1 October she will fully commence her role, and will work with Lynn on the transition/handover.

We’ll be organising her diary for the month of September and will ensure she gets to meet everyone and see as much as possible.

Any questions please ask Karen or any member of SMT.