Hope House hospice lives up to name

And there was delight all round when Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester was the special visitor and charmed everyone with her warmth and the time she took with children, volunteers and staff.

Indeed she and the Duke of Gloucester also gave the county a big thank you for all the work which was taking place across Shropshire for charities and to the commercial enterprises supporting many of them.

The Danish born Duchess was greeted by chairman of the trustees Barbara Evans, who all these years on is still chairman. She also met trustees from the areas the hospice was already serving so well.

These were the days as well when the children's hospice was beginning to be seen as a place of fun and laughter and not just one of sadness and silence.

Indeed those of us who have rated the hospice care for so long will testify to joys as well as sorrows.

Where life limited children are concerned, sorrows there will inevitably be. Losing a child is probably the very worst that can happen to a parent and to a family. But that is where Hope House and other children's hospices truly come into their own. Not only do they care for and help nurture these precious children but they are also there to be with each family who finally has had to say farewell. And that is simply incomparable love and support.

But in between times, Hope House is as it has always been, a place where lives are truly lived day by day.

As everyone was waiting with excitement for the royal opening David Featherstone, who was then general manager, summed up both the ethos and its practical application for families who are suddenly caring for a child with the worst of disabilities. He said: "The family has to learn to do things that only a trained children's nurse would be expected to do in hospital. They will learn to cope with the constant strain of broken nights, fitful sleep, long meal times, heavy lifting and maybe changing nappies for the whole of the child's life.

"The strain often takes a heavy toll on family life. Brothers and sisters will compete for attention with the life limited child; parents may disagree about the degree to which the special child deserves their attention.

Dealing with a child that can't speak, hear, breathe properly, walk or achieve many of the milestones parents always look forward to, adds to the pressure."

All of which was exactly the reason which spurred on so many people to get this wonderful facility off the starting block. As David also said: "It may just be somewhere to get a good night's sleep knowing the child next door is being cared for by a trained nurse.

Later, it may become somewhere where enough trust has been built for the little one to stay for a few days. Gradually, confidence builds up in the care team and safe environment. Eventually, that rare commodity a holiday, may be possible."

An explanation of nearly 20 years ago but one which has held good ever since. That royal opening meant so much more than a happy day marking a wonderful new facility as our children's hospice lived up to its name and spelled out hope.