To celebrate our 15^th birthday, Demelza is inviting supporters be part of a 15 year photo montage –our 15^th year logo designed and crafted from your photos.

The photo mosaic will be unveiled at our Open Day in Sittingbourne, Kent on Saturday 28th September 2013 and will be permanently displayed in Kent, along with copies at our hospice in Eltham and our Community offices in Ripe, East Sussex. 

If you or your group has had a connection with Demelza over the past 15 years we would love to receive your photographs. Ideally the photo would include the colours red, white or black, however this is not essential. The photos can be of any size as they will be reduced into the mosaic picture. Unfortunately photos cannot be returned and written permission from all individuals pictured will be required.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman and Olympic ice skater Robin Cousins were the star guests at a special 15^th birthday AGM at Demelza House on Tuesday 5th June.

The celebrities met staff, children, volunteers and local dignitaries and took part in a question and answer session with Robin admitting he would appear on Strictly, if asked.

Guests were entertained by flautist and music therapist Jane O’Neill accompanied by volunteer Annemarie in a special marquee outside the 10 bedded hospice.

Demelza founder president Derek Phillips cut a birthday cake and bereaved mum Niki shared her experiences of using the hospice service.

A family bible donated to a Demelza charity shop is being reunited with relatives in Australia, thanks to research by dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers at the Demelza bookshop in Herne Bay found a Holy Bible dating back to the 19^th century at the bottom of a box of donated goods.

In the front the names of births, deaths and marriages were added in relating to the Ireland and Hendrick families.

Volunteer Pauline Finch, who has a strong interest in family history, completed a family tree and did some online research on the families mentioned.

Demelza celebrates its 15^th birthday this year (2013).

How it all started:

Demelza Hospice Care for Children was set up by Derek and Jennifer Phillips following the death of their daughter, Demelza from a brain tumour at the age of 24.

Demelza worked at Acorn’s children’s hospice in Birmingham and the couple realised the south east was in dire need of a similar facility.

Derek and Jennifer’s hard work in fundraising and publicity resulted in the opening of the hospice just outside Sittingbourne, set in six acres of the beautiful Kent countryside in 1998.

The hospice was officially opened by countess Mountbatten of Burma on 15^th June 1998 after a four year £4m fundraising campaign.

On 4^th September in the same year Barbara Sturgeon from BBC Radio Kent did a live broadcast from the hospice.

 Hospice expansion:

•         The New Barn extension was official opened on 22^nd March 2000 as a volunteer centre – Lady Kingsdown did the honours.

•          Vice President Gary Lineker officially opened the soft play area on 18^th January 2005.

•          Demelza House had a royal visitor on 8^th July 2005 when the Countess of Wessex visited.

•          Dame Kelly Holmes, double Olympic champion, opened the Education Suite on 21^st July 2006.

•          After the young people at Demelza had their say on a specific area for them the TIZ (The Inclusion Zone) room was opened on 18^th July 2007.

Woof woof. Calling all canines: drag your owners along to Demelza’s Pooches on the Prom event at Minnis Bay, near Birchington, on Sunday 14^th July.

Top dogs are needed for the dog show and walk and there will also be stalls, rides, music and a barbecue from 11am to 5pm.

Entry for the walk is £5 per pooch and everyone who pre books will receive a fluffy collectable Andrex puppy toy.

Entry for the Fun Dog Show is £2 per class with rosettes for the winners. We are looking for entries in the following categories: Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome Dog, the Dog with the Waggiest Tail, The Dog with the Most Appealing Eyes, the Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home and the Dog who Looks Most like its Owner.