JULIA'S House Children’s Hospice has been recognised with a national award for its work throughout the pandemic - beating off stiff competition after a record number of nominations.

The charity cares for seriously ill children and their families across Wiltshire and Dorset and received the Charity of the Year accolade in the Great British Business and Community Awards.

Around 1600 nominations were received and there were 127 entries for the Charity of the Year category.

The charity’s chief executive Martin Edwards said: “We’re thrilled to accept the Charity of the Year award on behalf of our amazing nurses, carers, and other dedicated colleagues.

“They are a lifeline to families struggling with the day-to-day exhaustion of caring for a child with a life-shortening condition.”

This award brings to light the needs of families all around the country and it is imperative that families receive regular respite.

Martin added: “I would also like to pay tribute to every other charity that went the extra mile during the pandemic to help people through such extraordinary times.”

The award judges said: “Julia's House is an incredible and vital charity that has adapted during Covid. Keep up the amazing work that you are all doing.”

Julia’s House Children’s Hospice relies heavily on the generosity of those who support the charity as they receive just eight per cent of government funding required to provide continuous services across the counties.

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