KCHC Annual Review 2023-24 WEB Singles - Flipbook - Page 12
How did we do?
Creating a sanctuary for
families with sick children
Thanks to the awe-inspiring fundraising e昀昀orts of three special
families, the full refurbishment of three parent rooms in Denmark Hill
is now complete, transforming facilities for parents with sick children.
Parents in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU),
Rays of Sunshine ward and Princess Elizabeth & Lion
wards now have a new space away from their child’s
bedside to eat, talk and take a break. It is all thanks to
the money raised by the Betts, Dove and Rice families
in honour of their children – Elena, Evie and Jake.
A lack of space and privacy
Before the refurbishments, the parent rooms lacked
privacy and were cramped with limited amenities.
“Sometimes people would come in to make themselves a
drink…not realising that a family was in there receiving
devastating news about their child,” says Dan Betts,
whose daughter Elena was in the PICU.
Born with a rare genetic condition, fun-loving Elena
was just three when she tragically passed away in
December 2019. Dan and his wife Mel decided to take
inspiration from their daughter’s happy outlook on
life and launched the Elena Effect to raise money to
refurbish the PICU parent room and highlight the
importance of lesser-known organ donation.
Fundraising to make a positive difference
When Howard and Katie Dove’s 12-year-old daughter
Evie was diagnosed with a brain tumour, the family spent
a great deal of time on Princess Elizabeth & Lion wards.
When Evie sadly died in March 2022 after a year-long
battle, the Doves wanted to give something back to
King’s. Inspired by her bravery and positivity, family
and friends began fundraising in Evie’s memory to help
refurbish the parent room on Princess Elizabeth & Lion
wards.
In December 2021, Jake Rice was just three when he was
diagnosed with hyper acute liver failure and needed a
liver transplant to save his life. He spent two weeks in the
intensive care unit and five weeks on Rays of Sunshine
ward before being discharged home.
“We started fundraising to express our deepest gratitude
to King’s for saving our little boy’s life,” says Olivia, Jake’s
mum. “We wanted to give something back to help other
families who are on this terrifying journey.”
A new place for parents
Together, the Betts, Dove and Rice families contributed
an astonishing £90K to help fund the much-needed
refurbishments. We set about working with the families
and key stakeholders to transform the existing rooms
into private, tranquil spaces where parents could reset
and recharge.
If we can help make a parent’s stay more
comfortable, that’s one less thing they
have to worry about.”
– Olivia Rice
Super Jake and his family came to celebrate the launch of
the refurbished parent room on Rays of Sunshine Ward,
where he stayed after having an emergency liver transplant.
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S U P P O R T K I N G S .O R G .U K
