Tockwith Show

The Tockwith Show President for the 2011/12 year is Norman Waller and he has chosen Martin House Childrens Hospice as his charity. He has added the following message.

“It is the President’s privilege to nominate a Charity to which the proceeds from the Auction of Produce are donated. I have chosen the Martin House Children’s Hospice in Boston Spa. The main reason for choosing this charity is a very personal one. When I was young I lost a brother aged 18 months and a sister who was aged 17. My sister in particular had a harrowing time and had a facility like Martin House Hospice existed at that time she and my parents would have bene-fited from the facilities particularly in respect of the emotional support on offer.

Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People serves families from all over Yorkshire. Opening in 1987 with nine children’s bedrooms, in 2002, it opened a second house known as Whitby Lodge to care for teenagers and young adults. Currently these facilities are used to support over 340 families, with a further 120 in receipt of bereavement support.

Martin House and Whitby Lodge offer respite care to families where there is a child suffering from a life-limiting condi-tion. The care team provide medical, practical and emotional support, not only to the affected child, but also to parents and siblings. As well as caring for children in the hospice, members of the care team also support families in their own homes. Even after a child has died, help is provided in terms of bereavement care for the family members.

These services are provided free of charge. With very little statutory funding available, Martin House is largely funded by voluntary donations. This year marks a very special milestone in the life of the hospice as it celebrates its 25th anni-versary.” Norman Waller President