About us

Meet Alexander, our inspiration.

Ours is a story of an ordinary family who were blessed with an extraordinary little boy. The journey that was to change our lives began in November 2001 when our precious first child was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just four years of age, there is nothing in this world that can prepare you for such a trauma, and life is never the same again.

Alexander was a very bright and funny child; he loved life and his family very much and had wisdom far beyond his years.

The grieving process started immediately and our whole world was consumed by hospital appointments, doctors, nurses, operations, treatments, scans, stays in hospitals, etc. It was like being on an emotional roller coaster which you have no control over.

Our son endured four and a half years of operations, treatments and therapy and sadly died at the age of eight. 

Through our experience and much research, it was clear that Berkshire needed its own children’s hospice. So we began the next chapter in our journey, the realisation of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.

The word ‘hospice’ is not a word that many relate to with happy thoughts, and I much prefer the Latin ‘a resting place on life’s journey’. I know from our experience that you cannot go into a children’s hospice and not be filled instantly with love, laughter, happiness and tears. That is what we are all about, providing a safe place for all, a place to be yourself and have a safe pair of loving arms around you, as much or as little as you need them. 

Alexander has left us as a family, and those that work at Alexander Devine, a beautiful legacy. We meet the most incredible children, families, supporters, donors and volunteers. Each of them has a different story and each valued and important.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, a journey that will continue on with your help and support.

Fiona & John Devine

Alexander

Our vision

is to provide a children’s hospice service within Berkshire and surrounding counties that will give children and families a choice of care and support from a dedicated team.

Our mission

is to reach out to every child and family who needs us.

Our core values

Determined

And resolute in our service to all those that need us

Empowering

To enable whoever comes into contact with us, the power and courage to make decisions, ask questions or simply to be

Valuing others

We value you and each other, because we are all unique and special in our own way

Integrity

To be consistent in our ethos and values, principles and actions. To always behave and hold the integrity of our charity as core

Nurture

To provide an environment of protection, support, growth and encouragement

Empathy

To know that we will provide a place of safety for everyone to express their feelings, thoughts and emotions, without judgment

Our Senior Management Team

We are governed by a Board of Trustees that not only ensures the money we raise is used in the best possible way but that we are also doing all we can to reach and help as many families and children that need us.

The every-day running of the hospice is the responsibility of the members of our Senior Management Team:

Fiona Devine

Fiona Devine

Co-Founder & CEO

Helen Bennett

Helen Bennett

Director of Care

Warren King

Anne Bajorek

Director of Fundraising

Fiona Devine

Warren King

Director of HR & Wellbeing


Helen Bennett

Andrew Rice

Director of Finance

Our awards

Can you help?

The support we receive from individuals, businesses and volunteers enables us to run our vital children’s hospice service across the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties.

Alexander Devine on Facebook

Inspected and rated Good by Care Quality commission
Registered with Fundraising Regulator
Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is the operating name of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 5757493

Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.