Service Above Self

12^thSeptember 2003 REF:03-72

BUTTERFLY TEA PARTIESPLANNED FOR CHILDRENS HOSPICES WEEK

Rotary International in Great Britain and Irelandannounced today that its clubs are planning Butterfly Tea Parties on Wednesday 24^thSeptember in support of the Association of Childrens Hospices. Rotary Clubsare organising Butterfly Tea Parties in their communities to mark ChildrensHospice Week. The butterfly is used bythe Association of Childrens Hospices to signify the short, fragile, beautifullives of the children in the UK whohave a condition which means they will not reach adulthood. Tea parties arebeing arranged in church halls, schools, sports and social clubs, offices, community centres and private homesfor friends and colleagues.

Thereare some 20,000 children across the UK with conditions that mean they will notlive to reach adulthood. Some childrendie when very young; others deteriorate slowly over many years. Families caring for life-limited children often 24 hours a day over many years can feel extremely isolated and underenormous emotional, physical and financial strain: relationships can suffer;careers may have to be abandoned; well brothers and sisters feel left out; andnormal family activities become impossible.

Childrens Hospices welcome whole families for respitecare, giving them a break together ortime to themselves in a comfortable home-like atmosphere. They provide expertpalliative and emergency care; practical advice and information ; and alsoterminal care and support into bereavement for as long as it is needed.

Barbara GelbChief Executive Association of Childrens Hospices said 'It's wonderful thatRotary are supporting children's hospice week by holding so many tea partiesacross the country.  The funds raised will help all children's hospiceorganisations to continue to provide their
unique and vital services to many children and families. Since Rotary's
adoption of ACH in July many new and fruitful local partnerships have been
formed which will, I'm sure, continue to the benefit of all children's
hospices for years to come.'

There are currently 25 fullyoperational childrens hospices in the United Kingdom, 5 organisations offering a Hospice at Homeservice, 1 childrens hospice Day Care service and another 13 projects withplans at various stages to establish a childrens hospice service. ACH works onbehalf of all of these organisations.

Formore information or photos contactJudith Diment on 01628 672965 or 07860 162313

Formore information about ACH ContactBarbara Gelb ACH Telephone 0117 905 5082 or Aileen Hunter on 07740197655.

Notes for Editors

1.Rotary is anorganisation of business and professional persons united world-wide, whoprovide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocationsand help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Members carry out this workin their own community and/or overseas by giving their time and theirexpertise. A Rotary Club is open to men and women who are business,professional or community leaders who want to use their experience for thebenefit of others.

For general information onRotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789‑765411 www.rotary-ribi.org

2. ACH was formed in 1995 and is a small, national charity and umbrellaorganization working on behalf of all UK childrens hospices. ACH seeks toimprove the provision , regulation, quality and and funding of childrenshospices services and promote the needs of life-limited children and theirfamilies. ACH receives no statutory funding and increasingly relies onCorporate sponsors to fund core costs.