We’ve already cut costs but without urgent support, we’ll have to make difficult decisions
Bristol-based children’s hospice charity Jessie May is set to launch a 36-hour matched fundraising campaign as part of its urgent ‘Your Community Needs You’ appeal to save its unique at-home care service for seriously ill children.
During this short but vital campaign, every pound donated will be doubled by generous match funders – meaning supporters can make twice the impact in keeping children safe, cared for, and surrounded by family at home.
“This is more than a donation,” says Jessie May CEO Daniel Cheesman. “This is a chance to give exhausted parents a break, keep siblings together, and let children be children – all from the comfort of their own homes. With demand for our service up by 53%, and a £300,000 funding gap threatening our future, we need our community to rally like never before.
“We are particularly asking local businesses to come together to support us, as we know they could make a huge difference.”
Jessie May’s matched campaign runs for just 36 hours, from 6th–7th July, and aims to raise critical funds to keep specialist nurses delivering care at home, provide emotional support to families, and allow children with life-limiting conditions to stay in the one place they feel safest – home.
“We’ve already cut costs where we can and frozen recruitment for non-care staff,” Daniel adds. “But without urgent support, we’ll have to make difficult decisions. This appeal is about stopping that from happening.”
Spread the word
Jessie May is calling on local people to sign up as Campaign Champions and help spread the word. Champions are given:
- A personal fundraising page
- A short video to share
- Guidance and assets to help promote the campaign via WhatsApp, email and social media during the 36-hour campaign
Every donation made through your page will be doubled, and there are rewards for our top fundraisers - so campaign champions are encouraged to spread the word and help Jessie May reach even more families in need.
“You don’t need to run a marathon or host a gala,” say Emma Carter, Head of Fundraising & Comms at Jessie May. “Just sharing your page with friends and family could raise enough to fund a nurse’s visit – or even an entire day of care.”
Sign up now or donate at: https://we-need-you.jessiemay.org.uk
Jessie May, the only children’s hospice with at-home services in the South West, faces a number of issues, including a £300,000 funding gap in 2025, and the fact that only 20% of income comes from statutory funding despite a forecast £2 million annual running cost.
While statutory funding has increased, it remains far below what’s needed - in England, local NHS funding is 18% lower than in 2021/22, even as charities’ spending has risen by 34%. What’s more, in 2024/25, nearly two-thirds (59%) of children’s hospices ended the year with a deficit, and by 2025/26, 91% are expected to do the same unless urgent action is taken.
“We’re determined not to cut services,” says Daniel. “But we need our community’s help to keep going.”
‘ This is why we’re doing this...’
Four-year-old Margot entered the world, eight weeks premature. At just 19 days old, she was diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic condition known as Trisomy 9 Mosaicism. This condition meant she had a third copy of the 9th chromosome in some of her cells, setting her on a path that few had travelled before.
With only 100 known cases worldwide, Margot’s family faced uncertainty and an unfamiliar road ahead. It was during this time that Margot’s parents, Vicks and Greg, were introduced to Jessie May. Margot’s needs are exceptionally specialised, and the continuity of care offered by Jessie May proved to be a game-changer for the Griffiths family.
Margot’s Dad Greg said: “I can’t imagine life without Jessie May – they have become an integral part of Margot’s life, our lives, and they give us that huge love and support that is invaluable… I would encourage anyone to support them.”
For Margot, who is non-verbal, her reaction to seeing the familiar purple Jessie May T-shirt says it all. “Her whole face lights up,” says Margot’s mum Vicks. “She spins with excitement. She knows she’s going to have fun, get attention, and just enjoy being a child.”
That time is precious. In a life filled with hospital appointments, operations and medical procedures, Jessie May visits are different. They’re about joy, play and presence. They bring lightness to heavy days. And when crisis strikes, they’re there too – a reassuring constant in the toughest moments.
“If we didn’t have Jessie May, it would have a genuine and significant impact on all of us,” says Vicks. “Margot would miss the one-on-one time and connection, and we’d lose that time to step back and catch our breath. Even her sister Mimi finds comfort knowing Jessie May are there – it reassures her too.”
“Outside of medical intervention, Jessie May has been the single biggest positive impact on our lives.”