A virtual 'Tree of Lights' at Noah's Ark children's hospice will provide an opportunity for people to celebrate the life of someone special while helping secure the charity's future.
This winter Noah’s Ark children’s hospice, located in Barnet, is launching its first virtual ‘Tree of Lights’. Supporters will be invited to remember the life of someone special by illuminating a light on the tree and adding a picture, a message, or sharing a special memory and making a small donation.
Every donation made in their memory will not only illuminate the tree but will also have a meaningful impact on the families Noah’s Ark supports, enabling them to be there for children and families who need them this year, next year and in the years to come.
Celebrating baby Callum
The first light on the tree celebrates the life of Callum, a baby that the hospice supported at the end of his life. The dedication was made by his parents, Ingride Gomes and Ciaran Corcoran with a message that read: ‘Dear Callum, mommy and daddy miss you so much this Christmas and always. You are forever loved our little Christmas bear.’ with a picture of baby Callum.
Noah’s Ark started supporting the family in September 2022, when they were referred after a tumour was found in Callum’s kidney. Devastatingly, the tumour was a very aggressive type of cancer – a malignant rhabdoid tumour of the kidney - and after a full body scan it was discovered that Callum had a further two tumours in his brain. Noah’s Ark supported Callum with music therapy, clinical support, specialist care and nursing and a dedicated family link worker. Callum came to the Ark - the charity's hospice in Barnet - for end-of-life care at the end of February 2023 and sadly died on 5th March 2023 when he was just 11 months old.
Ingride says: ‘Losing a child is something you can never come to terms with, you just have to take it day by day. But we’re grateful for the time we did have with him.’
The couple are now expecting another child and Ingride says: ‘Being pregnant again is wonderful, but with grief there is always mixed emotions, being really happy and sad that they won’t have their brother.’ The family are very much still a part of the Ark, Callum’s has his own bench and an ornamental butterfly, inscribed with his name, flies in the sensory garden. The family still visit the Ark regularly and Ciaran says, ‘It feels like a very special place for us to come and connect to Callum and feel his presence.’
Noah’s Ark supporter engagement manager, Cathy White, said: ‘This time of year can be very hard, especially if you’ve experienced loss or are missing a loved one. Our Tree of Lights gives supporters the chance to dedicate a light and remember someone special, whilst helping to support children who are seriously unwell and their families at Noah’s Ark children’s hospice.’
Noah’s Ark children’s hospice helps babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. The charity supports those who die young to do so in as much comfort as possible, surrounded by family. By providing exceptional care, organising fun activities and days out, Noah’s Ark helps families do things they never thought possible. They help those they support to enjoy life as children, rather than as patients; as families, not just as carers.
The hospice is based in Barnet and welcomes the referrals of babies, children and young people who meet their acceptance criteria and who live in the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington or Hertsmere. Noah’s Ark’s costs are currently around £6m per annum to provide essential services to babies, children and young people who are seriously unwell and their families.
Noah's Ark website
