Families facing a terminal illness will have help, care and support available this Christmas, thanks to the generosity of the community.

EllenorLions Hospices will be on hand to support patients of all ages and their families living in north and west Kent and Bexley over the festive period.

Throughout 2014 supporters donated to ensure the charity raises the £6million it needs to be able to care for families 24 hours a day, seven days a year.

Rachel Holweger, director of fundraising, said: “Thanks to the generosity of the local community, we can ensure seriously ill children and adults will receive the care they need this Christmas.

“When time is short the quality of life becomes so precious. We want life for every family we care for to be as full and happy as possible – even more so on Christmas Day.

“Our services are provided free to families which hopefully alleviates some worry at what is already a very distressing time.”

EllenorLions Hospices cares for an estimated 750 people and their families at any one time, offering support in the patient’s place of choice – their own homes, local care homes or at the charity’s hospice in Northfleet.

Health care assistant Terrie May looks after seriously ill people aged 14 and over in the inpatient unit, which offers round-the-clock care, including Christmas Day.

Terrie said: “Although there can be much sadness for families, Christmas Day is very special on the ward.

“We look after each family on a case-by-case basis and will do what we can to make the hospice feel like a home from home for them.

“If patients have a Christmas wish to go to their own home for a few hours, we will help to facilitate that.

“Although I miss my own family on Christmas Day I get so much comfort from being able to care for others who really need our help.”

chYps, the children and young people’s service of EllenorLions Hospices, cares for more than 200 children and their families every year.

Nicola Dean is one of the many chYps specialist palliative care nurses who will visit young patients in the security of their own homes over the festive period.

Nicola said: “For the seriously ill babies, children and young people and families that I work with, Christmas can be a very tough time. But by looking after a child in the comfort of their own home, we can prevent them from having to go into hospital.

“We can give 24-hour support and assess symptoms and do everything possible to ensure that these families have as normal and enjoyable a Christmas as possible.”

In 2015 EllenorLions Hospices will be celebrating 30 years of its specialist hospice care. Demand for care is increasing – please show your support in the New Year to ensure it can care for future generations.

To find out how you can help visit www.ellenorlions.org