Support for Wales' children's hospices from Senedd members

Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan expressed their gratitude to the 14 MSs who supported them, calling for the Welsh Government to pledge sustainable funding.

The displayed butterfly, is part of their #ReachEveryChild campaign.

It is made up of 3,655 small butterflies, which represent the number of children in Wales with life-shortening conditions.

Creative contributions from children being cared for by the hospices, as well as staff and volunteers, are integrated into this meaningful piece.

Despite Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith currently supporting one in every 10 Welsh children diagnosed with a life-shortening condition, only 12 per cent of their combined annual care costs are received annually from the Welsh Government.

In stark comparison, children’s hospices across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland receive between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of their yearly care costs from their respective governments.

Irfon Rees, chief executive of Tŷ Hafan, said: "In 2021/22 Welsh Government met our ask to fund 21% of our care costs for Wales’ two children’s hospices.

"However, in real terms, this recurrent funding has since fallen to just under 12% of hospice care costs."

He added: "We need Welsh Government funding to keep pace with the need for, and costs of, our services."

Adding to this plea, Andy Goldsmith, chief executive of Tŷ Gobaith, said: "We know we can do more.

"We know we must do more to reach the 3,655 families who have had to have the conversation you never want to have and are desperately seeking support."

He also said: "That’s why we called on the Government to provide us with the support, help and funds so that we will be here for every child and family who turn to us."

A letter urging for sustainable funding, signed by Mr Rees and Mr Goldsmith, has been sent to the First Minister Vaughan Gething and Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services.