BBC Children In Need's Pudsey Bear visits Thames Hospice

BBC Children In Need's Pudsey Bear visited Thames Hospice on Wednesday 27 February 2019. Celebrating a grant of £122,000 given to the Hospice by Children In Need, Pudsey posed for photos with patients, families and staff. Pudsey rounded up his day by meeting a bunch of very excited local children.

The £122,000 grant from BBC Children In Need will be used to expand the Thames Hospice children and young people's bereavement support services including: developing peer-to-peer support groups; counselling and therapy. Each year, the Thames Hospice Patient & Family Support Team help around 150 children and young people living in Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire who are facing bereavement.

Simon Smith, Head of Patient and Family Support, said: "We are thrilled that BBC Children In Need recognise and value the work we do. Every year we see more patients with young families needing our care and support. The serious illness or death of a parent can be devastating for children and young people, and bring multiple challenges into their lives. Supporting them and their family through such times requires specialist skills, compassion and creativity. Our team will now be better equipped to help children and young people express their feelings, reduce any risk of isolation and build coping strategies for their changing circumstances."

Watch Pudsey Bear's visit to Thames Hospice.