Pudsey visits Heart of Kent Hospice
We've been awarded a generous grant of £87,502 from BBC Children in Need!
The grant will help fund our Family Support Group activities, securing its running costs for the next three years.
The playful bear, Pudsey, delivered the cheque to Ann-Marie Kelly, Chief Executive and the Fundraising and Family Support Teams. He brought much joy and laughter into the hospice as he stayed to greet people attending the hospice Hub!
Heart of Kent Hospice provides support to families throughout Kent, helping children and young people navigate the difficulties that come with having a loved one diagnosed with, and living with, a terminal illness. The sessions are playful and fun, gently introducing children to the hospice environment.
With only one in six applications receiving funding, we recognise how fortunate it is to benefit from this support. Lyndsey Stukalov-Stone, Head of Family Support said, “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Children in Need and we are so grateful for this funding. It ensures the continuation of a vital service for families navigating the terminal illness of a loved one, which is especially hard for children.
“We cannot change the inevitable, but we can help to make this time a little easier – building strength, resilience and creating memories that will stay with these children for the rest of their lives.”
In 2025, Lyndsey was awarded the Ingenuity in the Charity Sector Award for her beautifully written picture book for children, called Precious Time. This special book aids families with children to start a conversation about life-limiting illnesses and to explore feelings that arise when someone special is going to die.
Pudsey will be returning to the hospice for the next Family Support Group Session on 28th February, where he will meet the children attending.
Find out more about Family Support here