Help Us Unlock a Magical Christmas for children like Elikai this year  

Every child deserves to have a magical Christmas, but for children like Elikai, this season brings unique challenges and fragile moments, and for our 2024 Christmas Appeal, we are calling on you to unlock a magical Christmas for Elikai and others like him here at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. 

Three-year-old Elikai was born with a congenital brain abnormality, meaning his brain didn’t develop fully. His parents, Annicka and Politon, were told that he was unlikely to survive the pregnancy, yet here he is, defying the odds each day with an inspiring resilience and bright spirit.  

Despite his health challenges, Elikai is a social, happy, little boy who is thriving. His joy is contagious, and being around others –both inside and outside the hospice – brings out the best in him.  

Yet his life is filled with complexities. His delicate health means he requires round-the-clock care and a closely managed routine of medications. Simple activities that other three-year-olds enjoy – like playdates or park outings – aren’t always possible for Elikai. But Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice is here to create a safe space where he can play, laugh, and make memories with his family. 

Annicka and Politon treasure every day with their precious son, yet the future remains uncertain, and they don’t know how many more Christmases they will be able to spend with him. For this family, each moment matters profoundly. The hospice gives them support in ways no one else can, offering care, comfort, and precious experiences for Elikai that brighten even the most challenging days. 

“We can’t leave Elikai with just anyone and that makes working or doing anything for ourselves so difficult. Alexander Devine makes such a difference to our lives. There is nowhere and no one else for us.” They continue, “Elikai wouldn’t have progressed as far as he has without the hospice service and the activities he can access.”  

Annicka and Politon

Elikai’s family are counting on your support to help them through their heart-breaking journey. All children, however seriously ill, should have a chance to meet key milestones and to experience the joys of childhood. At Alexander Devine, we focus on what a child can do and support them to live their short life to the full – in our hospice or in their home. 

Yet, with the threat of NHS funding being stopped next year with news that the central government grant for Children’s hospices may not be extended beyond 2025, and only 17 per cent of our funding currently coming from the government, we rely almost entirely on the generosity and kindness of people like you to keep our critical hospice service running. And this trend will only get more serious in the following years.  

Additionally, in a recent interview with the Maidenhead Advertiser, Alexander Devine Founder and CEO, Fiona Devine, said of the recent Budget changes, “The need for our services has never been greater and funding issues never more challenging.”. Hospices providing NHS services and private care homes are not exempt from changes to the NI contribution schemes, making a tough situation even tougher.  

This Christmas, we are asking for your help to give Elikai and his family a season filled with love, joy, and memorable moments. With your support, we can continue to offer Elikai everything from soothing sensory room sessions to lively music activities and relaxing hydrotherapy. These services are essential to his well-being, giving him chances to experience the joys of childhood that every child deserves. 

Will you be the key to unlocking a world of special experiences for Elikai this Christmas?  

Your gift, no matter how big or small, can create a brighter season for him and his family. By supporting the Alexander Devine Christmas Appeal, you’re not only helping Elikai but also over 200 other children who need our care and compassion. 

We know that these are difficult financial times for all, but please give what you can, knowing it will make a difference. Together, let’s give families like Elikai’s the gift of treasured memories and the comfort of knowing they are not alone. 

Donate now and make a difference for Elikai this Christmas.