Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project helps families in Haywards Heath hospital this Christmas

A charity is raising funds to help families with children in the special care baby unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, among other hospitals, this Christmas.
Simon and Lucy Pond with Aidan and their daughter Evie SUS-201215-124131001Simon and Lucy Pond with Aidan and their daughter Evie SUS-201215-124131001
Simon and Lucy Pond with Aidan and their daughter Evie SUS-201215-124131001

Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project was set up five years ago by Lucy and Simon Pond in memory of their son, Aidan, who died in 2014.

In partnership with Rockinghorse, they raise funds to gift families at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton with festive hampers.

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The project proved so successful that for the first time this year, hampers will be gifted to families in the special care baby unit (SCBU) at the Princess Royal Hospital.

Lucy, who works as the charity’s challenge events fundraising manager, said: “My son Aidan was tragically diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called mitochondrial disease, aged just one.

“Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for mitochondrial, meaning that he was a terminally ill child

“Aidan passed away at the Alex on Saturday, March 1 2014.

“The dedicated team of children’s hospital nurses and doctors are amazing, and we’ll never forget the joy and warmth at Christmas.

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“However, with the stress of the situation, we found that we were unable to share a Christmas meal together as a family.

“We hadn’t prepared ourselves with food to take to the hospital and we simply weren’t able to make the time to prepare a Christmas meal. As a result, we spoke with the head of nursing at the Alex and to Rockinghorse as the hospital’s official charity, about our experience and how it could be made better.

“Together we came up with the idea of providing hampers to parents which would be full of treats to be taken home or enjoyed at the hospital. In addition, we decided that a hot Christmas dinner could be cooked on site on the day itself.

“From there, Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project was born.”

The hampers contain practical treats for parents like tea, coffee, a cafetiere, homemade mince pies, brownies, Christmas pudding, and hand cream.

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Christmas dinner is prepared and cooked by volunteers for families on site.

The hampers are donated on Christmas Eve and put together in partnership with Caroline Davenport from Davenports Catering and supported by Middle Farm near Lewes, which gives vouchers for a family day out.

Lucy was delighted to be extending the project to reach more families in hospital at Christmas.

She said: “It costs around £3,500 a year to provide the hampers and Christmas dinners for all those staying in hospital during the festive period.

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“We are always so grateful for the donations we receive for the project, which is helping to keep Aidan’s legacy alive.

“Through this fantastic support, we’re able to ensure that no family is without a Christmas dinner whilst in hospital with their poorly child.”

Almost £16,000 has been raised for Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project since it started.

This year, Lucy is offering vouchers which can be bought as a special gift for a loved one at Christmas.

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She said: “For anyone who struggles to think of a unique Christmas gift for the person who has everything, we’re now offering Aidan’s Christmas Dinner Project gift vouchers.

“For a £50 donation, we’ll be able to produce a beautiful festive hamper which will be given to a family in hospital.

“It’s a great way to give back this Christmas and will really help us make a big difference to those who need it most.”

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