Harry’s plea ‘not to forget’ plight of sick children during pandemic
THE Duke of Sussex insists that vulnerable children “should not be forgotten” in the pandemic.
Prince Harry, patron of charity WellChild, said it was vital young people in need got the right support during tough times.
He has been involved with the charity since 2007, which provides nurses to work with families so children with complex needs can leave hospital and get care at home.
Harry sent a message to the families it supports in a letter attached to its 2020 impact report.
The Prince acknowledges that it has taken a “steadfast, coordinated effort across communities and countries to get ourselves to a point where we can fight this virus” and said the charity’s response to the pandemic shows “exactly why WellChild is so close to my heart”.
He said: “Life for everyone has been tough. For these families, it’s been tougher than most of us can imagine.As we continue to battle this health crisis, the existing needs of vulnerable children should not be forgotten.
“WellChild is a lifeline for so many people, and has had to redirect many of its funding resources during the pandemic.
“We must make sure that young people with serious health conditions continue to receive the support they need as we recover and work to return to normal life.”
WellChild has provided more than 289,000 PPE items to families so carers can safely visit, and digital resources for isolating families. But it lost 60 per cent of its projected income in 2020.
In the report, one WellChild children’s nurse wrote: “On the days I myself am feeling low and miss my friends and family, I remind myself of the daily challenges our children and young people with complex health needs and their families face.
“How hard has life been for them this year without the normality of school, carers and respite to support them? And so I am completely humbled and it has been an absolute privilege to be able to offer them my support.”