The following letter signed by Peter Dent our Founder and Trustee was last week mailed to all our supporters and service users:

 

Edward’s Trust has been providing parent accommodation at Edward House for over 16 years. During this time we have supported hundreds of families whilst their child is receiving treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

 

Edward House has always been more than a building – it has been a centre of supportive care to many hundreds of families. This ethos of care is at the very heart of the work of Edward’s Trust. Our focus is providing the support all families need during times of great stress and sadness. Edward’s Trust is held in the highest regard by Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

 

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is in a period of growth and development and has needed to look at service provision both current and future. They recently received a proposal from Ronald McDonald House Charities, who are the largest provider of hospital parent accommodation in the U.K; to fund and build a 60 roomed Ronald McDonald House for them at a cost of several million pounds. The Children’s Hospital has decided to accept this offer. This means that Edward House will now close at some point in 2008.

 

All those involved with Edward’s Trust are very sad about this, as we know many of you will be. We would have liked to continue to run Edward House and the decision to close has been made for us, not by us.

 

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Edward’s Trust, through Edward House and Sunrise, our bereavement centre, works with families of sick children, bereaved parents, bereaved children and their parents/carers, as well as providing training and support for professionals. We remain committed to our ethos and know the work of Edward’s Trust will continue with your support. We believe that even though we are losing the building that is Edward House our vital work caring for families will go on. We acknowledge our sadness at the end of an era in the life of Edward’s Trust but we look forward positively to developing future work.

 

Birmingham Children’s Hospital has asked Edward’s Trust to be part of their future plans and with them we will be developing our services to families of sick children. Alongside these developments the vital work of Sunrise will continue. Our many plans for the future can only be realised through your generosity and support. Edward House will remain open, providing the high level of care families who stay there need, for at least another year. We aim to continue providing the best possible environment and care until the last family leaves Edward House.

 

The work of Edwards Trust will continue and grow, with many more families receiving vital support during the most difficult of times. None of this will be possible without you. We rise to the challenges ahead, with your continued interest and support we will succeed.

 

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dent - Founder & Trustee

 

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