A York children’s charity is marking an incredible five years of transforming the lives of families at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Five years after the loss of their daughter Millie on 21 August 2021, Ceri and Nigel
Wright are reflecting on the extraordinary impact her legacy has had on hundreds of children and families through The Millie Wright Children’s Charity.
Established in May 2022, the charity was founded in Millie’s memory with a simple but powerful mission: to address inequalities in the practical, emotional and wellbeing support available to families of children living with life-threatening conditions.
Based at Leeds Children’s Hospital and recognised by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the charity has grown from an idea born out of personal experience into an organisation providing vital support to families facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
In the five years since it was founded, The Millie Wright Children’s Charity has:
- Raised more than £500,000 to improve the experience of children and families receiving care at Leeds Children Hospital.
- Funded 5,600 hours of Family Support Worker support, from Jeanette, who has personally supported families through some of the hardest weeks of their lives.
- Delivered Saturday Suppers to over ten thousand families under its ‘feed the parents’ initiative, a small act that has become one of families most-cited moments of feeling seen.
- Funded £35,000 a year of ambient food in Parent Kitchens across the hospital available 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
- Received grant funding for a hospital play proof-of-concept and campaigned for seven-day play access for every child on the ward, whatever their diagnosis.
- Worked in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to improve the wellbeing of patients and families across the hospital based on co-founders lived experience. Including, campaigning for parity of haematological patients being treated in oncology settings.
- Built a growing community of supporters, volunteers and fundraisers dedicated to continuing Millie’s legacy.
Ceri Wright, co-founder of The Millie Wright Children’s Charity, said: “Five years after losing Millie, there isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t think about her. The charity was born from our experience and our determination to make
life a little easier for other families facing the unthinkable.
“What we’ve achieved over the last five years is only possible because of the
incredible support we’ve received from fundraisers, volunteers and hospital staff.
“Every family we help is part of Millie’s legacy, and we are immensely proud of the difference the charity has made.”
Nigel Wright, co-founder, added: “Millie inspired everyone who met her with her courage, kindness and smile. Her spirit lives on through the charity and the support it provides.
“Looking back on the last five years, we are humbled by how many lives have been touched in her name.”
As the charity marks this poignant anniversary, it remains committed to expanding its support and ensuring families of children with life-threatening conditions receive the practical and emotional help they need when they need it most.
Find out more about The Millie Wright Children’s Charity at their website here.