Olivia, Luke & Demelza Hospice Care for Children

Demelza Hospice Care for Children supports children with terminal conditions and their families, making sure they can enjoy the time they have together. Demelza provides professional care, but also fun activities like swimming and sensory play.

Berkeley Homes East Thames has been working with Demelza since 2012. The partnership’s vision is to ‘shape a better tomorrow’ by ensuring no child or their family has to go through times of crisis alone.

In 2019, the Berkeley team raised just over £50,000 for Demelza, equivalent to 4,621 hours of care by a Care Assistant.

Ryan Campbell, CEO of Demelza, comments: “Demelza looks after some of the most vulnerable people in society. As lockdown gradually lifts, we will work to help families emerge from shielding and to ensure our service continues where they are most needed.”

Olivia, 9, and her brother Luke, 8, both use the services at the Eltham hospice. At two, Olivia was diagnosed with autism. When Luke was 12 months, doctors discovered that his creatine kinase levels were at 16,000, against a normal level of 200. Four months later a specialist diagnosed Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic, progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness. Less than six months later, Luke also received a diagnosis of autism.

The children’s parents, Vicky and Barry, are their full-time carers. Vicky says: “We felt so overwhelmed and isolated at first. Having the support of Demelza means everything to us, and Olivia has progressed so much through their help.”

Both Luke and Olivia are cheeky and full of smiles. Luke loves his iPad and Vicky says he could teach anyone how to use one. Olivia loves Disney figures, especially Frozen!

Having the support of Demelza means everything to us, and Olivia has progressed so much through their help.Vicky, Luke and Olivia’s mum

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The Berkeley Foundation

The Berkeley Foundation is the working name of The Berkeley Charitable Foundation, a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number 1152596), a company registered in England and Wales (Registration Number 8548400).

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