LEGACY MATTERS
Discover the impact your legacy will have at Alder Hey
WELCOME EDITION 2 | WINTER 2025/26 Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the latest edition of Legacy Matters, our newsletter celebrating the incredible impact of gifts in Wills at Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Every gift left to Alder Hey, no matter the size, plays a vital role in helping us go above and beyond the core standard of care and provide the very best for our young patients and their families. These thoughtful legacies enable us to fund innovation, enhance our hospital environment, and invest in the future of children’s healthcare. In this issue, we’re delighted to share updates on some of the areas of Alder Hey that have been supported through legacy fundraising, as well as some of the incredible individuals whose legacies are making a lasting difference at Alder Hey. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, we continue to create brighter, healthier futures for children across the UK and beyond. Thank you for being part of our Alder Hey Family and for the lasting difference your support makes. Warm regards, ZOE VINEY INDIVIDUAL GIVING & LEGACY MANAGER ALDER HEY CHILDREN’S CHARITY
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April Ashley
A LASTING LEGACY:
REMEMBERING APRIL ASHLEY
Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the most meaningful ways you can make a lasting difference. It ensures that Alder Hey can continue to provide world-class care, compassion and innovation for generations to come. Every gift left in a Will, no matter the size, helps to shape brighter futures for the children and families we care for. One such extraordinary legacy is that of April Ashley, who kindly left a gift to Alder Hey Children’s Charity when she passed away in 2021 at the age of 86.
April was a true pioneer. Born in Liverpool in 1935, April was a through and through scouser who became known internationally as a model, actress and author, and was one of the first British people, and just the seventh in the world, to undergo gender reassignment surgery in 1960. For decades, she stood as a courageous and inspiring voice for LGBT+ rights, helping to bring greater acceptance and understanding across the UK and beyond. April’s connection to Alder Hey was deeply personal. As a young child, she came to the hospital every week for calcium injections to treat a deficiency she suffered with. She had a tough upbringing, yet she never forgot the care and compassion she received when she came to Alder Hey. When thinking about organisations that wanted to
support throughout her Will, April chose to remember Alder Hey, a way of giving back to the hospital that had once been there for her and ensuring it could continue to be there for countless other children in the future. Liverpool had a strong place in April’s heart, and she spoke fondly of Alder Hey throughout her life. When she passed, friends and family were not surprised to see her leave a gift to the hospital in her Will, given how well she spoke of Alder Hey and the care she received. Her generous gift is already making a difference. Legacies like April’s help us to go further for over 450,000 children every year, whether that’s funding vital research into childhood conditions, investing in cuttingedge equipment, or creating spaces designed to comfort families during difficult times.
April’s story shows how a legacy is so much more than a donation. It is a reflection of who you are, the values you hold, and the future you want to help create. Her gift is a legacy of bravery, compassion and hope, and we are proud to honour her memory here at Alder Hey. If, like April, you would like to leave a lasting gift of love and care for children, please consider including Alder Hey Children’s Charity in your Will. Together, we can ensure your kindness lives on in the smiles of children for years to come.
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CELEBRATING SUCCESS:
ARTS FOR HEALTH AT ALDER HEY It has been a hugely successful year for Alder Hey’s Arts for Health programme, which continues to grow from strength to strength. In 2025, the programme was recognised with the Health and Wellbeing Award at the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards – a wonderful celebration of the impact it has across our hospital. Fully funded through generous donations and grants to Alder Hey Children’s Charity, the programme brings creativity, joy and comfort to every corner of our Children’s Health Campus. Over the past year, it delivered 2,011 workshops and engaged nearly 11,000 children and young people in arts activities – a record number.
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Vicky Charnock, Arts for Health Manager, said:
“Thanks to generous support, we’ve been able to engage more children and young people than ever before. These activities not only support patients’ wellbeing but also give them the chance to grow in creativity and confidence. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made this possible.” A key part of the programme is its inspiring partnerships with leading cultural organisations including National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, Shakespeare North, Live Music Now and the Liverpool Philharmonic. These collaborations bring world-class arts experiences right into the hospital. One particularly special partnership has been with artist Gemma Longworth, whose interactive and inspiring art workshops have made a transformational difference for many young people at Alder Hey. One young person who has experienced the positive impact of Arts for Health is 11-year-old Alfie. Alfie recently took part in The Dreamers Project, a 10-week programme for young people aged 8–18 who are accessing mental health support at Alder Hey.
Through this support, Alfie discovered a new passion: developing his very own ‘scouse’ fashion brand. Inspired by Liverpool clothing companies Montirex and Transalpino, Alfie designed t-shirts celebrating his local heroes, including MMA fighter Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett and boxer Callum Smith. Reflecting on his journey, Alfie said: “Gemma is the kind of person who gives her whole heart to what she does. In the studio, she has been a constant source of guidance and belief. She saw potential in me even when I didn’t see it in myself. She’s pushed me, encouraged me and helped me to grow – not just in my skills, but in my confidence. She’s the reason I now walk into the room with my head held a little higher. Because I know someone believes in me.” Thanks to our supporters, the Arts for Health programme is transforming hospital experiences – turning difficult days into moments of joy, comfort and creativity for thousands of children each year. Alfie and Gemma
Alfie has autism, and when he first joined the sessions, he struggled with perfectionism, worrying if his artwork didn’t turn out exactly how he imagined it. This made it difficult for him to enjoy the creative process. With encouragement from Gemma, Alfie gradually began to embrace creativity as a journey rather than focusing solely on the end result. Through drawing, expressive painting, and textile-based projects, Alfie gained confidence and learned to experiment without fear of mistakes.
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MEDICINEMA MAGIC IN 2025:
OVER 200 SCREENINGS AND COUNTING! 6
This year, the MediCinema at Alder Hey has continued to make a phenomenal impact, delivering over 200 screenings to brave young patients and their families. It’s been a truly magical space of joy and escapism – a place where children can forget about hospital life for a little while and just enjoy the latest releases on the big screen. The cinema had held tailored screenings for a wide range of groups, including children from Sunflower House, families supported by The Alder Centre, and NHS staff. Special events have also supported children with brain tumours through the cinema’s partnership with Tom’s Trust, and sessions for our Orthoptics team and Wellbeing Afternoons have brought extra smiles across the hospital. In total, around 450 hours of experience time have been delivered so far, including Fun in the Foyer activities like crafts, face painting, art workshops and even a live jazz band! Cinema Manager, Laura Smith, said: “The impact of the MediCinema at Alder Hey is just phenomenal. We meet patients and their families from right across the country and deliver pure escapism through the magic of film… and some added extra magic thanks to partnerships including Disney’s Moments That Matter.” Thank you to everyone who has donated to Alder Hey Children’s Charity – your support helps keep this incredible facility
running. We’d like to send a heartfelt thank you to John Holmes, who left a generous gift to Alder Hey Children’s Charity when he passed away in 2024. John was a very family-oriented man who had a deep sense of community spirit. When his family learned of his gift to Alder Hey, they asked if his gift could go towards the running costs of the Alder Hey MediCinema, inspired by John’s passion for the arts. John’s cousin, Hillary, said that “John would be so proud to see the difference his gift has made. He loved nothing more than helping people and putting a smile on someone’s face, so to see the difference this money has made to so many young people has been so touching.” A warm thank you to John’s family for choosing to honour his legacy in this truly impactful way. The Alder Hey MediCinema is always looking for volunteers to help deliver its very special screenings. If you or anyone you know would be interested in getting involved, please email alderhey@medicinema.org.uk.
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SPOTLIGHT ON
IAIN HENNESSEY:
CONSULTANT PAEDIATRIC SURGEON AND DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Director of Alder Hey Innovation, Iain Hennessey, first joined Alder Hey in 2009. Working across multiple departments, he has seen first-hand the impact that charitable support, such as Gifts in Wills, has on Alder Hey. Speaking about his experience, Iain said, “It’s a great place to work, but more than that, it feels like family.” That sense of belonging has kept him grounded and driven for over a decade, through countless surgeries and groundbreaking moments, including his pioneering work transforming children’s healthcare through the Alder Hey Innovation Hub. Alder Hey’s Innovation Hub is the largest purpose-built hospital innovation hub in the UK, dedicated to improving children’s healthcare through new technologies,
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services, and systems. At Alder Hey, we continually strive to enhance the care we deliver, and our Innovation Hub is at the heart of that mission. One patient who experienced the lifechanging impact of Alder Hey Innovation was Leah Bennett. At the age of six, Leah began having back pain that her family initially thought was something minor. But as the weeks passed, her discomfort grew. Soon, she struggled to sit up in her car seat, and her energy and appetite noticeably declined. Concerned, her GP referred her for further investigation.
At Alder Hey, tests revealed a large tumour located at the base of Leah’s spine. The tumour extended into her abdomen and had grown around the arteries supplying blood to her legs, an extremely complex and rare presentation.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of donors like you. By supporting Alder Hey Children’s Charity with a gift in your Will, you help clinicians like Iain go above and beyond for our patients and deliver lifesaving care.
Leah began nine rounds of chemotherapy, but unfortunately, the tumour remained largely unchanged. Surgery soon became the only viable option. Doctors at Alder Hey described it as an “impossible tumour” due to the risks involved, with just a 10% chance of removing it without causing serious harm.
Reflecting on Alder Hey’s excellence, Iain added,
To prepare for the high-risk procedure, the team at Alder Hey used advanced 3D modelling to print a detailed replica of Leah’s tumour. This innovative approach enabled surgeons to plan the intricate operation with greater precision. Reflecting on Leah’s story, Iain said, “These are the moments that remind us why we do what we do. We’re seeing things that were once impossible become possible.”
“ By supporting Alder Hey Children’s Charity, you’re ensuring that we can go beyond the core NHS offering to provide greater access, drive innovation, and improve outcomes for children in our care.” On behalf of everyone at Alder Hey, thank you for your support.
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A LASTING LEGACY OF CARE:
HOW GIFTS IN WILLS SUPPORT BEREAVED FAMILIES
When a child dies, the impact on their family is profound. In those moments of unimaginable loss, having someone to listen, someone who truly understands, can make all the difference. That is why Alder Hey Children’s Charity is so proud to fund the Child Death Helpline, based at The Alder Centre in Alder Hey. Since 1989, this unique national service has been a lifeline for families who have lost a child, no matter their age, the circumstances, or how long ago their loss occurred. Every call is answered by a specially trained volunteer who has themselves experienced the death of a child. With the support of professional counsellors, they offer compassion, understanding, and reassurance to parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends. Families call within hours of their loss, or sometimes decades later, but the message is always the same: you are not alone. Michelle Meredith, who coordinates the helpline, says:
not only through treatment and recovery but also through the most difficult of times. Services like this simply would not exist without the kindness of our supporters. By choosing to leave a gift in your Will to Alder Hey Children’s Charity, you can help ensure that this lifeline continues for generations to come. Your legacy could mean that whenever a parent picks up the phone in grief, there will always be someone at the other end who understands - someone ready to listen, comfort, and guide them through their journey.
“Losing a child makes us question everything, including ourselves. The helpline can be the first port of call, offering immediate comfort and support in the darkest moments.”
It is a gift of compassion, care, and hope. And it is a legacy that will last forever.
The Child Death Helpline is just one part of the wraparound care made possible by Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Alongside counselling, therapies, and peer support groups, it ensures that families are supported
If you or someone you know has been affected by child loss, please get in touch with Michelle and the team by emailing CDH@alderhey.nhs.uk or calling the freephone helpline on 0800 282 986.
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On behalf of all our team and everyone at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, thank you for helping us create brighter futures for babies, children and young people at Alder Hey.
GET IN TOUCH 0151 953 0177 legacies@alderhey.nhs.uk Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP Registered Charity Number 1160661
LET YOUR MAGIC LIVE ON