A CHILDREN’S hospice-at-home charity which helps several Swindon and Wiltshire families has been awarded £10,000.

Jessie May nurses were overjoyed to receive the funding from the Charlie Froud Foundation.

The money will help the nurses provide respite care and emotional support for terminally-ill children and their families.

Fiona Foster, Jessie May trust and foundations fundraiser,, said: “We are absolutely astounded at the foundation’s incredible support.

"This funding means we can continue to provide the essential nursing care we do, directly within the homes of life limited children, and ensure we can continue to welcome children to our growing caseload."

Jessie May was originally set up in Bristol and helps 72 families in that area, in addition to 113 families across South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

The Charlie Froud Foundation was set up in memory of a 14-year-old boy from Bristol who died tragically in an aircraft crash in 2008.

Fiona added:"There is no worse pain than losing a child and our care team work to ensure we are providing the best possible service to families with a terminally ill child.

“This is a particularly moving donation, as Charlie was so local to us, and where many of the families we support are currently living.

"Our mission is to ensure these children have the very best quality of life, and are provided with high quality respite and palliative care services in their homes.

“We are hugely touched by this gesture and look forward to working with the foundation, who have kindly pledged their support.”

Heather Froud, founder and trustee of the Charlie Froud Foundation, said: “The foundation is a small charity, working hard to make a difference where we can in the local area.

"Because the namesake of our Foundation – Charlie – died aged 14 we feel particularly passionate about supporting other small charities who look after children.

“I heard about Jessie May from an ex-employee of theirs.

"Her experience was of a genuinely loving environment where children, their parents and siblings get vital support through the toughest of times as well as becoming part of the Jessie May family where they can meet and make friends with others in similar circumstances which they find invaluable.

“Jessie May receives very little government funding so the other Trustees and I are delighted to add our support, albeit in a small way.”