ROYAL VISIT FOR LOCAL CHILDRENS CHARITY JESSIE MAY
September 17th, 2015A charity which provides hospice at home services to terminally ill children in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire received a very special visit this week from HRH Sophie the Countess of Wessex.
The Countess attended a reception at the Kingswood-based charity s headquarters where she met with nurses, volunteers, supporters and families cared for by the charity.
The occasion marked what would have been the 21st birthday of Jessica May Purrington who died in 1994 aged 4 ½ months after being born with the genetic condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The charity was subsequently established by Jessica s parents Chris and Philippa, who wanted to support other families in caring for their terminally ill child at home.
During the visit the Countess also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
Chris Roys, Chief Executive of Jessie May said: We are absolutely delighted and honoured to welcome the Countess of Wessex to our charity. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the short life of the child who inspired the pioneering work of Jessie May nurses in the South West
.
The Countess of Wessex has a special interest in children s charities and we are already lucky enough to receive some funding from the Wessex Youth Trust so it will be lovely to thank her in person.
Jessie May provides care to families in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath. It costs around £1 million for the charity to provide this care yearly and as it is almost entirely dependent on public support.
For more information about Jessie May please visit www.jessiemay.org.uk
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