Demelza children’s hospice wins Selco makeover prize

South-east children’s hospice Demelza Hospice Care for Children is planning a garden makeover after winning £500 to spend at Selco Builders Warehouse through the Selco Stars scheme.

The charity, which operates in Kent, East Sussex and South East London, is planning to utilise its prize on building materials to revamp the gardens at one of its hospices in Sittingbourne.

Each month, Selco is donating £500 of building materials to two groups across the UK, with the 12 finalists going forward for a public vote for the chance to win £5,000 in cash.

A second prize of £1,250 is also available to mark Selco’s 125^th anniversary.

Demelza provides specialist care and emotional support for children with terminal conditions and their loved ones, so they can enjoy their time together as a family for as long as they have.

The charity cares for children with a range of different conditions, some of which are very complex and so rare they have no name. Every year its work is a lifeline to more than 750 children and their families.

Petra Bones, corporate partnerships manager at Demelza, said: “We are thrilled by this support from Selco Builders Warehouse. As a charity, we’re almost entirely dependent on the generosity of our supporters to provide the funds that keep our services going. This donation will enable us to buy the materials we need to make our Kent hospice even more comfortable for our children.”

Carine Jessamine, marketing director at Selco, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for charities. We’re delighted to be able to help just some of the groups doing invaluable work through our Selco Stars campaign. Demelza is an amazing charity providing free of charge, round the clock care to families. I can’t think of a more deserving cause.”

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