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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Emma Grimshaw

Coronavirus: Desperate appeal as charity helping terminally ill children face uncertain future

Expressed breast milk was delivered to a seriously ill baby in a neonatal ward by charity workers this week because the child's mum was not allowed in.

This is one of hundreds of vital jobs workers at Rainbow Trust carry out each day across our city.

But the charity says it urgently needs funding to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Zillah Bingley, chief executive, has now issued a desperate appeal so the organisation's employees can continue supporting families with a child who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

She said: "What can I say that you won’t already have heard at this frightening time?

"Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is facing a very real concern that we will not be able to continue supporting families with a terminally ill child. We urgently need your help.

"The families we support are already facing the unimaginable thought that their child may die before them.

"Now, they are also experiencing enormous Coronavirus fears. Our Family Support Workers are continuing to do all they can - this week they delivered expressed breast milk to a neonatal ward from a mother who wasn’t allowed to visit her premature baby, due to strict visitor restrictions.

"Families often tell us that Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers are one of the only trusted ‘constants’ in their lives, helping them as they face uncharted territory and uncertainty. That is not changing in the short term. We will continue to be there in whatever way we can, for as long as is possible.

"However, we desperately need funds in order to keep Rainbow Trust going. 98 per cent of our income comes from the generosity of the public and all our fundraising events for the foreseeable future have been cancelled or postponed.

"I implore you to give whatever you can at this frightening time, so that families caring for their seriously ill child can still be supported."

To donate, click here

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