Dignity donates £25k to emergency fund for seriously ill children

National funeral director and crematorium operator, Dignity, has donated £25k to an emergency cost-of-living fund for families of seriously ill children who are struggling to make ends meet.

The fund, which is run by the UK children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives, is a direct response to the cost-of-living crisis, which has put even more strain on families caring for seriously ill children at home. 

An estimated 3,000 seriously ill children require long-term ventilation to stay alive, while around 6,000 are dependent on ‘assistive technology’. Concerned families are facing significant debt to keep machines running and are now confronted with difficult choices between feeding their family or heating their home.

Since the fund opened in November, Together for Short Lives has received over 650 applications. 

As a result, the £25,000 donation from Dignity will give 100 of these struggling families a £250 grant to help manage their soaring energy bills.

Kate Davidson, CEO of Dignity, said: “We are delighted to make a donation of £25,000 to ‘Together for Short Lives’ to support their cost-of-living fund. When they told us about this initiative, we could immediately see how beneficial it would be for parents caring for seriously ill children this winter and wanted to support them.”

Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: “This generous donation of £25,000 from Dignity will allow Together for Short Lives, through our cost-of-living support fund, help more families who are caring for a child that is dependent on technology and equipment to stay alive, in the face of spiralling energy costs. 

“Only thanks to your support can we help these families spend precious time together, making lasting memories. Thank you, Dignity Funeral Services, for your incredible support.”