Jamies Dinners are a real hit at Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice

Jamie Oliver, the renowned chef famous for bringing healthy cooking into our homes and schools officially opened the Beehive – the kitchen at Bluebell Wood.

Jamie made the special visit at the end of June to meet some of the children and families who already receive the care of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice with a ‘Hospice in the Home’ initiative. Jamie spent lots of time with each of the families; signing autographs, posing for pictures and really getting to know what life is like for these families.

In July the new Hospice building will open for day care and from 19 th September the first families will arrive for overnight care.  At the heart of the building is the beehive kitchen, where the trained chef, care staff and parents will be able to work along side children of all ages and abilities in a specially adapted area.  This is to ensure everyone, including the children, have the opportunity to be passionate about food. And who else could endorse this like Jamie Oliver.

‘We have some inspirational families and very special children being cared for by Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.  They were very excited to meet Jamie in person – although it is hard to tell who was most excited, the children or the Mum’s!’ said Caroline Artschan Fundraiser for the charity.                                                                                                    

Bluebell Wood will be celebrating its massive milestone in the best way ever this year.  During Children’s Hospice Week they will be opening as the UK’s newest and much needed Children’s Hospice.  It is estimated that over 200 families from throughout the region will receive support each year.   Over 60 families already receive the ‘Hospice in the Home’ service and these families will soon be able to enjoy all of the facilities on offer in the £4million building – the funding for which has been almost entirely from the generosity of local volunteer fundraisers. It costs £2.4million to run the Hospice, with only 4% of that coming from the Government, the support and generosity of the community is vital to help us continue this fantastic and much needed service.

Click here to see pictures from the day!