9 October 2025
Sharing the Reality of Children’s Hospice Care
In a moving segment that will air this evening, ITV News London joined us at The Ark as part of Hospice Care Week, bringing national attention to what children’s hospice care truly means, and why it absolutely matters.
The feature includes candid conversations with our CEO, Sophie Andrews OBE, and with Nadine and Glenbert, parents to Montell, who share how our support has made a difference in their lives.
The Funding Challenge
We support over 380 children across North Central London; yet far more families are in need. As a hospice we rely heavily on charitable donations: while £7.1 million a year is needed to run our services, only 19% of our funding comes from government sources.
Our CEO, Sophie Andrews OBE, describes the constant pressure to raise funds:
“It’s quite relentless really having to raise that amount of money.”
When asked about the impact of failing to raise the funds needed, she adds:
“Worst case scenario, we’d have to look at what we're offering and we would have to reduce what we’re doing… which is unimaginable.”
Montell’s Journey: A Family Supported
Montell was born with hydrocephalus, meaning excess fluid in his brain resulted in severe complications. Doctors initially gave him a life expectancy of only three hours. Nevertheless, he continues to defy the odds and is now 12 years old. Montell has been receiving our support since he was three months old.
Nadine and Glen spoke about what that support means to them:
“It’s like a weight lifted to know you’ve got the support and the people around you that you can call on… You become family… They’re there 24/7 for us.”
Noah’s Ark supports the whole family, not only Montell, with fun activities, respite breaks, a dedicated Family Link Worker, and specialist carers.
We’re incredibly grateful to Nadine and Glen, and to all the families who generously share their stories. Their voices play a powerful role in helping others understand the importance of children’s hospice care, breaking down misconceptions and showing the love, strength and joy that exist alongside the difficulties.
This Hospice Care Week, and every week, we’re proud to stand alongside Hospice UK and children’s hospices across the country, reminding the public: This is hospice care.
This Is Hospice Care. But We Need Your Help
Across England, more than half of hospices are operating at a deficit. Many have already begun cutting services. Without urgent, sustained funding, children’s hospices like ours may have to make heartbreaking decisions about the care they provide.
That’s why our From That Moment fundraising appeal is so vital.
Donate Now and Double Your Impact
Right now, all donations made to our From That Moment fundraising appeal will be doubled thanks to match funding, but only until midnight on Sunday 13th October.
Your donation could help ensure families like Montell’s continue to receive the care they need, from that moment they hear the words no parent ever wants to hear.
