MBE honour for hospice founder

HARRY Moore, who founded Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, said he is delighted and honoured to have been recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s Honours for his work.

In 1992, Mr Moore, and his former wife Gail, stood on a field and had the dream that is now Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. With a small team, and the support of the community, they created the hospice overlooking Charnwood Forest.

Their daughter, Laura, died of leukaemia in 1989 and her favourite thing was a rainbow, which is how the hospice got its name.

Mr Moore and Gail also founded the charity COPE to build a children’s cancer unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Laura Centre, a bereavement counselling service for those affected by the death of a child and for bereaved children. His MBE is for services to Young People and to Charity in Leicester.

“I found out just before Christmas and it was a real surprise,” said Mr Moore (pictured). “I wasn’t suspecting anything like that. I feel quite humbled by it. It is nice to be recognised in this way.

“My message about Rainbows has always been about the people rather than the facilities. It is about the quality of care and that is down to the people. Not just the care staff, but everyone who works at Rainbows and everyone who volunteers. Everyone does it in support of the children and it is the children that provide the inspiration.”

Back in the early nineties, it took two years to raise the £1.6 million needed to build Rainbows. Now it costs over £6.5 million a year to run the hospice.

“Over the years, Rainbows has grown and evolved and it has always been at the cutting edge of palliative care. It has never stood still,” said Mr Moore. “I am really proud of Rainbows and delighted to receive my MBE for the recognition and value of Rainbows and the Laura Centre.”

Since opening its doors in 1994, Rainbows has cared for thousands of children and young people with life-limiting, life-threatening and terminal conditions – as well as supporting their families.

Rainbows CEO Dee Sissons added: “By creating Rainbows, Harry has enabled thousands of families from across the East Midlands to have unforgettable memories with their children who have had short lives. We couldn’t think of anyone more worthy of such a deserving accolade.”

To support Rainbows, www.rainbows. co.uk/ways-you-can-help