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Counselling support for Children’s Hospice during C-19 crisis

October 28, 2020
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M6toll fund counselling support for local Children’s Hospice during Covid-19 crisis

As part of the M6toll’s Drive for Charity ‘In the Community’ funding, Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL); operators of the M6toll have provided £1,500 to The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice based in Trentham, Stoke on Trent which will be used to provide counselling support to children and families, to improve their emotional well-being during the Covid-19 crisis.

However long or short a child’s life may be, The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice is there to support every member of the family, every step of the way.

The funds will be used to provide remote counselling sessions, via telephone and video call, to those children that have the maturity and cognitive ability, and also to parents, carers and siblings. These counselling sessions will give them the chance to talk about how they are feeling in a safe environment.

Emma Whitehurst, Trusts and Grants Manager at The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice said;

“Everybody at The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice is thrilled to receive this fabulous grant from M6toll Drive for Charity Community Scheme. The funding will be used to provide vital counselling support for children and families, to improve their emotional well-being, during the Covid-19 crisis. Most of our children have weakened immune systems and their fragile health puts them at massive risk from the virus. Social isolation was already a huge problem for many of our families and now they are having to shield indefinitely. It’s having a devastating impact on their emotional health. We will provide remote counselling sessions to children, parents/ carers and siblings. These sessions will help to reduce stress, help them to cope with their situation and improve family relationships. These counselling sessions will be a lifeline. Thank you so much.”

Jo Brett, MEL employee added: “Covid-19 has brought so much worry and anxiety to the children and families in the care of The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, we are so pleased to be able to support the charity with providing counselling sessions and hope it brings some comfort in these difficult and challenging times.”

More information about The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice can be found here www.thedonnalouise.org/

Since the M6toll opened 16 years ago, operators Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) have donated more than £1million to local good causes.

Last year, M6toll’s online scheme saw £20,000 given to ‘charity of the year’ Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, and dozens of smaller awards made to community projects.  To find out more or to nominate a local project to receive funding please visit Drive for Charity.

Discover More of our Drive for Charity Work Here.

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