LITTLE Ellie Humphries, who is the face of this year’s Christmas appeal from Julia’s House children’s hospice, has enjoyed an early Christmas present.

Ellie, who has bravely battled against a brain tumour which was discovered when she was just six months old, was the first child to enjoy a play session at the charity’s Devizes hospice, when it reopened its doors after lockdown.

Julia’s House cares for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions throughout Wiltshire, and provides emotional and respite support to their families.

The hospice in Devizes has had to remain closed for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic due to infection control requirements, with the charity’s nurses and carers focused on supporting families in their homes and virtually through video calls.

But the doors are open once again to welcome children back on a one-to-one basis, so that they can benefit from a safe environment to play with a nurse or carer, while their exhausted parents enjoy a well-deserved break from providing 24/7 care.

This means the children can enjoy some of the facilities at the hospice that are harder to replicate at home, such as the sensory room.

It’s not quite business as usual as a lot the play equipment has had to be removed to ensure the hospice is Covid-safe, but with more one-to-one visits planned the happiness, love and laughter has certainly returned.

Ellie’s Julia’s House nurse, Molly Douglas said: “It was very exciting opening the hospice for the first time in so long.

"We did lots of arts and crafts and some sensory play with Ellie which she loved.

"It meant her parents could drop her at the hospice and feel confident she was safe, and enjoy some well-earned time to themselves."

Claire Hudson-Cooper, director of care for Julia’s House, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to open the hospice safely again.

"We’ve been liaising with the families we care for and listening to their feedback so we know how best to support them not just physically but emotionally.

"The Julia’s House care team has worked incredibly hard to provide support in family homes over the summer months, but it has involved a lot of lone working.

"It’s wonderful to feel more a bit more connected again and to see the fun and laughter return to the hospice.”

In its Christmas appeal, Julia’s House tells Ellie’s heart-breaking story, from the moment of her diagnosis, through operations to remove the tumour, right up to the present moment, as her parents Jenna and Luke face an agonising wait for a further scan just before Christmas to discover whether their daughter remains in a stable condition.

Jenna said: “Every time we’re scared that something will show up. We call it ‘scanxiety’. We are just so thankful Julia’s House has been by our side.”

The care and support given to the Humphries family and others like them, is only possible thanks to the generosity of the public.

Under normal circumstances Julia’s House receives no government funding in Wiltshire, and relies on fundraising, donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of the money needed to run its vital service in the county.

During 2020 the charity was forced to cancel many of its major fundraising events.

Its chain of high street shops is once again closed for the lockdown period, creating a significant impact on the charity’s income in the normally busy run-up to Christmas.

As the restrictions due to Covid-19 continue, Julia’s House anticipates another challenging year ahead.

To donate to this year’s Julia’s House Christmas appeal visit www.juliashouse.org/Ellie or call the Donations Team on 01202 644220.

You can support Ellie by buying one of the charity’s new range of virtual gifts to give a more meaningful present this Christmas https://www.juliashouse.org/virtualgifts

Watch this year’s appeal video featuring Ellie and her parents: www.juliashouse.org/ellie-film