New charity partnership to help Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice is to benefit from an exciting new partnership between M&S Food and leading UK children’s charity Together for Short Lives.
Simon Hills, Bluebell Wood chief executive, is delighted the hospice will benefit from the partnershipSimon Hills, Bluebell Wood chief executive, is delighted the hospice will benefit from the partnership
Simon Hills, Bluebell Wood chief executive, is delighted the hospice will benefit from the partnership

M&S Food has already set itself an impressive challenge – to raise £1 million for Together for Short Lives this year to help children’s hospices like North Anston-based Bluebell Wood be there for local families when they need them the most.

M&S Food and Together for Short Lives celebrated their partnership launch during Children’s Hospice Week last month.

Children’s Hospice Week is especially poignant this year, with hospices like Bluebell Wood going above and beyond to relieve pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Simon Hills, chief executive of Bluebell Wood, said: “This is a fantastic and very timely partnership that will directly benefit the children and families we care for, as well as countless others throughout the UK.

“The families in our care need our help and support more than ever in these uncertain times so we’re very much looking forward to working closely with our local M&S Food stores to raise vital funds to support our life-changing work.”

Together for Short Lives’ ambition is for every seriously ill child and their family to be able to make the most of every moment together, whether that’s for years, months or just days.

Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S Food: “We are a passionate team with a big heart and we are all excited about our new partnership.

“Together for Short Lives will be one of the charities available to support via our SPARKS card and we’re looking forward to introducing lots more initiatives during the year.”

Andy Fletcher, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, added: “Thank you M&S Food, Together for Short Lives is so excited to be partnering with you.

“We are blown away by your generosity and commitment to seriously ill children and families and the children’s hospices they rely on.

"We have already had the privilege of working with M&S Food over the last year, and have experienced first-hand their warmth, energy and determination to do all they can to protect the magic of family life – which is so precious when time is short.”