Alexander Devine Launches 2025 Christmas Appeal – ‘Light Up Little Lives This Christmas’

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service provides specialist care and support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire, South Bucks and into surrounding counties.

Currently, the hospice service supports over 200 local children and families, one of which is Grace, whose family has been supported by Alexander Devine for the last three years.

When Grace’s mum, Georgina, was just 12 weeks pregnant, doctors gave her and Grace’s dad, Jamie, news they never expected to hear. Something wasn’t right with Grace’s facial profile. After extensive genetic testing, doctors were still unable to give a diagnosis. They took the pregnancy week by week, not knowing what the outcome would be.

When born, Grace was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Treacher-Collins Syndrome. At just four days old, she was fitted with a tracheostomy to open her windpipe and help her breathe. Doctors also discovered Grace’s ears hadn’t developed properly, leaving her with a hearing impairment, and she had a cleft palate which meant she had to be fed through a tube in her nose.

Those first few weeks with Grace in hospital were incredibly difficult. Grace was in NICU and with Covid-19 restrictions in place, only her parents could visit. It was especially hard for Georgina’s two other children, Kaitlyn and Zach. It was a logistical nightmare for the family – travelling every day to Oxford to be with Grace, whilst also managing the school run for Kaitlyn and caring for Zach.

Grace spent eight weeks in hospital. Before being allowed home, both Georgina and Jamie had to quickly learn how to fit Grace’s tube, attach the ties, and change her dressings. Desperately wanting to make it home in time for Christmas, it was a race against time to find all the equipment Grace needed to keep her airway clear and for her parents to complete their training.

“When we were told we could take Grace home for Christmas it was so surreal. Looking back now, I can see us scrambling left, right and centre to get everything together. We hadn’t even put up a cot because there was always a chance she wouldn’t come home.” Georgina, Grace’s Mum

For over a year, the family cared for Grace on their own, until their local community nurse referred them to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. Now, Grace has just turned four and requires 24/7 care to support her breathing and eating. Whilst being supported by Alexander Devine, the family has received community care, day care at the hospice, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, overnight respite and sibling support. She has grown to become a cheeky and confident personality running around the hospice!

“The hospice is like Grace’s home away from home. Even before arriving, her face lights up when we reach the gate and she knows she’s here for daycare. She walks in, puts her stuff down and it’s like she’s home.” Georgina, Grace’s Mum

The care from the hospice extends further than Grace – they also support her sister and brother, Kaitlyn and Zach. At the hospice they attend sibling activity days, receive sibling support and enjoy the hydrotherapy pool for splash sessions as a family!

“I would tell anyone considering donating to Alexander Devine that it doesn’t just support the individual children, it makes a difference to entire families, just like ours. From respite care, to hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, to the opportunities and support it provides for Grace’s siblings – it is all amazing. I would urge people to think about supporting Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. It means so much to so many families, who would be lost without this support.” Georgina, Grace’s Mum

Like all our families, the support we give to Grace, and her family is completely free. But 85% of what we need to raise to keep our hospice service running is from fundraising, donations and gifts in Wills.

If you would like to support families just like Grace’s or learn more about our Christmas Appeal, please click the button below.