A CALL has gone out to the communities across south Essex served by the Little Havens Children's Hospice.

The charity behind the hospice is calling on Thurrock residents to help raise the £46K needed to provide a week's care during Children's Hospice Week this June. The charity was recently named as one of those supported by Thurrock's new mayor, Cllr Sue Shinnick.

Havens Hospices has launched its Challenge 46 campaign that runs from Monday, 21 June to Sunday, 27 June challenging supporters to complete a fundraising activity based around the number 46. The charity has chosen the number 46 because it costs £46,000 to provide care at the Thundersley-based hospice which provides specialist care to children and young people either at the hospice or within the home.

Taking part in Challenge 46 is free, the charity is just asking participants to fundraise as much as possible towards its £46,000 total so Little Havens can continue 'Making every day count' for the children and young people they care for living with complex or incurable conditions. If challengers raise £46, they will receive a celebratory medal.

It is a challenge for everyone to take part in and doesn't have to be physical. It can be any challenge based around the number 46 or even the number 4.6 or 460. Challengers can either walk, run, cycle or take on their own unique challenge based around the number 46 for Little Havens.

By taking part in Challenge 46 and fundraising for Little Havens during Children's Hospice Week, supporters will be helping to raise vital funds so the charity can care for children like Evie Malins.

11-year-old Evie has CDKL5, a rare genetic condition. Along with her family Evie has been coming to Little Havens for respite breaks since 2016. As lockdown restrictions eased in April 2021, Evie along with her little brother Max and mum Sarah were able to visit and use the facilities at Little Havens like the accessible garden equipment and the multi-sensory room.

Sarah said: "For us to visit Little Havens again and have some kind of normality back was a massive step. Being locked away at home for 14 months has really knocked my confidence and I am frightened of getting back out and doing normal things. But to have Little Havens there by our side to help and ease us back into normality by letting us visit the gardens is amazing.

"Coming to Little Havens is like having a comfort blanket. We feel safe, we can be ourselves and you don't have to worry. Everything we could possibly need is here, plus that added touch of magic which makes Little Havens what it is."

Cerena Ashwell, Challenges Fundraiser at Havens Hospices said: "We feel our Challenge 46 campaign this Children's Hospice Week is a great way to bring our communities together to take on a fun challenge raising money for their local children's hospice.

"While a lot of people may feel their lives have been put on hold due to the pandemic, palliative nursing and hospice care has not stopped. Little Havens has continued to provide care to hundreds of children and families, and this was all thanks to the support and generosity from our community when we needed them most.

"Everyone who signs up can get creative and take part in whatever way they want – you could challenge yourself to cycle 46 miles, the same distance as climbing Mount Fuji, run 4.6 miles in fancy dress, or even complete 46 push-ups every day that week. There is no challenge too great or small so whatever you do just remember to have fun, stay safe by following the Government's guidelines on Coronavirus, and share your experience with the online community so we can continue 'Making every day count' for families across Essex in our care."

To sign up visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/challenge46 where participants will be able to create their own personalised online fundraising page to collect sponsorship and share with family and friends. Share your challenge and photos with Havens Hospices on social media tagging @havenshospices #Challenge46