Can U B Our Friend? If you hear about a child or young person who has a serious illness and may not live into adulthood you might find this quite upsetting and maybe you wouldn’t even want to hear any more of their story. People often have the same reaction when they first hear about how children and young people in this situation are helped at Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice. But this is usually because they think a children’s hospice must be a place full of doom and gloom... ...the truth couldn’t be more different.

Come Inside… Enter the doors of Keech Cottage and you’ll be greeted by a giant Scooby-Doo toy! You’ll be surprised at how bright and colourful it is and you’ll soon see that Keech is more often filled with fun and laughter than tears and sadness. As well as the children’s and family bedrooms you would see indoor and outdoor play areas, a teenager’s ‘den’ with computers and games consoles, a library, a fully equipped music room, a multi-sensory room and a special hydrotherapy swimming pool! All of this means Keech Cottage is a place where children and young people can do lots of living. Of course the sad days do happen and when a child is very ill or nearing the end of their life, the care team at the hospice is there to make sure they get the special type of nursing care they need and that their families get all the support they need too.

Running the Charity Keech Cottage is a charity. It has a hospice building just outside Luton and also a community nursing team that helps children and their families in their own homes. Keech currently cares for over 150 families with terminally ill children across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes. Many of these are families living in the mid and north Bedfordshire area. This is a huge task and costs £1.9 million to run each year – that’s over £5000 every day!!! And, like most children’s hospices in the UK, Keech Cottage receives very little money from the Health Service. Keech is always thankful to local people who help to raise 86% of its costs.

True Friends When a group of volunteers from across north/ mid Bedfordshire heard about this constant battle the charity has to raise money, they came together and decided to help out. In July 2005 they became the Friends of Keech. The ‘friends’ do all kinds of things to help make sure other people know about the charity and to raise money. They meet regularly to talk about their plans, give talks to local community groups, help with charity bucket collections and hold fundraising events of their own. All are committed to being a true friend to the charity! Can you be our Friend too? Click here for details of our FREE Lifeguarding course.

YFriends! The efforts this group have put in to helping out have been great but Keech is now also looking for young people who can help spread the word in schools, colleges and other youth groups by becoming a YFriend of Keech. As a YFriend you need to volunteer some of your time but you can choose just how much you want to be involved. You could help organise activities as a YFriend Planner or simply help out when you can as a YFriend member. Below is a list of some of the things you could do to help but remember you don’t have to do all of them! Become a YFriend Planner Meet regularly with other young people to plan fundraising activities in your area. Give a presentation about Keech in your school or college - with support from Keech staff or volunteers Organise a charity event with friends such as a talent show, themed party, dress down day at school, fashion show, sports event or whatever you and the YFriends choose! Arrange sales of charity wristbands, keyrings or badges. Organise a sponsored event and encourage young people to take part. Become a YFriend Member Get yourself sponsored for the charity – run, swim, cycle, stay silent, give up chocolate! Help out, take part in, or just turn up to one of the events organised by the Planners - and get your friends to go too! Buy a wristband, key ring or badge, or download a Keech Cottage logo to your mobile or desktop for £1.50 (Text KCH671319 to 83332) Get talking, texting and emailing to tell others about YFriends. Whether its friends at school or college, people you know through a sports or youth club or your MSN friends, the more people you can encourage to join the better!

You’re not alone! Whatever you do, as a Planner or a Member, the fundraising team at Keech is there to give you all the support and help you need. The Community Fundraiser for your area, Pauline Mitchelmore, can come to your school, college or other youth group to give a presentation about Keech to you and other young people. This would help you to find out more and ask any questions. Or you could come to visit Keech and see the place for yourself. Remember it’s not a sad place to come to and having a look around can really help to show you what a children’s hospice is all about. To arrange presentations or visits contact Pauline as below.

What’s in it 4U? You will know that you are making a difference to the lives of other children and young people in your area. You’ll meet new people, make new friends and have fun! Helping out with charity fundraising will give you new skills and experience and its a great thing to put on your CV How 2 Join If you’re interested in joining YFriends or want to find out more contact: Pauline Mitchelmore at Keech Cottage on 01582 497849 email: pmitchelmore@pasque.org Keech Cottage, Great Bramingham Lane, Streatley, Nr Luton LU3 3NT