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Great Ormond Street Hospital
We returned to Great Ormond Street Hospital to donate a book of children’s NG tapes, along with toiletry bags filled with everyday essentials.
By chance and perfectly timed it’s actually Feeding Tube Awareness Week. It felt especially meaningful to deliver a book of beautifully printed tapes for children to choose from. Something small but powerful that gives a child a sense of choice and control of their own decision making through their treatment which is so important. Claire from the play team, someone Florentina absolutely adored during her time at GOSH had reached out and asked if we would consider supplying tapes for the oncology wards. Of course I jumped at the opportunity and didn’t hesitate to say yes.
Having walked this journey myself with Florentina, through countless NG and NJ tube insertions I know just how important that small moment of control can be for a child. Tube placement is hard. It can be frightening and traumatic. Being able to choose a decorative tape can make all the difference to a child in that moment.
Alongside this we donated 20 toiletry bags, each packed with essentials. I remember all too well the days we would go in “just for scans,” only for Florentina to spike a temperature and suddenly we were facing a minimum 48 hour stay. Being caught without toiletries adds another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation. Receiving a bag like this would have meant so much in those moments.
Returning to GOSH was emotional. It was my first time back since we walked OUT of those doors in September 2024, heading home on palliative care. But being there now continuing Florentina’s legacy, turning our experience into something that helps other families fills me with an indescribable pride.
Her light is still reaching others and that means everything.
Bravery Box
We’re excited to share that a Florentina’s Footsteps Foundation Bravery Box has now been introduced on the Broomfield Hospital ward!
This special box is here for all the incredible children who face brave moments during their hospital stay! Whether it’s having a cannula inserted, an NG tube placed or any other challenging procedure.
We’ll be keeping this box topped up monthly to ensure every brave child gets a little reward for their courage. We hope it helps to put a smile on their little faces.
Florentina‘s Footsteps Christmas Grotto Experience
On 29th December 2025 we did our first grotto event and WOW, what a day! The sun was beaming the excitement was buzzing and it truly felt like Florentina was sprinkling a little extra sparkle over us. We welcomed 50 wonderful children through our grotto doors.
We started the day with a special session for cancer families to enjoy which was pure magic. Their smiles lit up the whole room!
A huge THANK YOU to my mum (Donna), who spent so many weekends building the grotto and elf workshop. Every little detail was absolutely enchanting and everyone’s reactions were priceless. Thank you to our amazing Santa -Adrian who not only made the grotto feel truly magical but then wowed the children with his brilliant tricks in the elf workshop. They were mesmerised! And Santa’s elf, May Flower kept the energy high with dancing, giggles and endless fun.
To our superstar volunteer elves who helped make the day possible! Alison (a.k.a. Jingles the Naughty Elf) Master of gingerbread decorating and official letter writing to Santa. Cassie (a.k.a. Moon Sprite) The calm twinkly eyed helper guiding families to Santa and keeping the magic flowing. Mum (a.k.a. Mary Merry Christmas) The ultimate timekeeper and organiser!
We had SO much fun and the feedback has been amazing. So many people have already said they want to come back next year. Guess what? We’re doing it again! With even more surprises, more magic and more festive fun! Make sure to grab your tickets early next year!
St Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Festival
We placed our Christmas Remembrance Tree in the church for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival. A tree dedicated to Florentina and all the precious little friends we’ve come to know over the years who were taken too soon by childhood cancer.
We decorated the tree in pink and blue, the colours of our charity and Florentina’s favourites. Each child’s name is held in a bauble with every name continuing to shine bright in their honour with love and light always!
The tree truly looks beautiful and my hope is that every parent feels a sense of comfort and connection in seeing their child remembered with such care.
Christmas Hospital Toy Drop
What an incredible day and an unforgettable result! Thanks to the overwhelming generosity and support from every one of you that donated toys. From group office collections to individuals contributions the response has been absolutely phenomenal. Our hospital toy drop was a massive success. We honestly couldn’t have done it without you all.
The van was packed full to the brim and overflowing with kindness as we headed to Broomfield, Basildon and Southend hospitals. Seeing it loaded with toys was an amazing moment and a true reflection of the incredible community behind us.
In total we collected an unbelievable 400 toys, which were categorised into girl and boy ages groups with 3 to 4 toys going into each sack/bag. It was lovely spreading joy, smiles and Christmas magic to so many children who truly deserve it.
This was more than a toy drop it was a team effort and a community coming together. A reminder of how powerful kindness can be. Thank you all so much for your donations, your support and your hearts. You’ve helped make this Christmas extra special and truly unforgettable for children spending it in hospital this Christmas.
THANK YOU CAMMAS HALL
Last Friday Cassie and I had the pleasure of visiting Cammas Hall, who donated 50 pumpkins which we took straight to the hospital. The visit was a great success, with a few memorable photographs taken alongside the Hocus Pocus witches.
We would like to thank Victoria for coordinating the arrangements with Cammas Hall and thanking all the staff involved.
Thank you to Sarah for kindly donating all of the pumpkin carving kits.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts and generosity many children in the hospital will be able to enjoy pumpkin carving this Halloween.
A Special Florentina’s Feast Friday’s
Tonight’s pizza drop is a special one and our biggest with 22 pizza’s delivered. As we come together to mark one year since our beautiful Florentina passed away. She is held in our hearts every single day. Tonight we honoured her in a way that felt truly special.
Also a big thank you to Julie who lives in America whose generous donation allowed us to fill the evening with beautiful helium balloons. The children were absolutely delighted and seeing their joy brought a little light into a day marked by remembrance. It was such a touching way to honour Florentina.
And to our wonderful volunteers, Cassie, Laura and Natasha who certainly had their hands full tonight, thank you for giving your time your hearts and your care tonight.
Florentina will always be remembered. Tonight’s drop wasn’t just a delivery it was a moment of love, reflection and celebration of a little girl who continues to inspire so much kindness and happiness through her legacy.
