Our welcome for this edition comes from Sarah Sogeler and Rachael Welsby, who are nurses in our Specialist Paediatric Palliative Care team (SPACE team). The team of medics and nurses provide specialist paediatric palliative care to babies, children and young people both at home, in hospital and at our hospice. They provided their specialist support to Martina and her family, who have kindly shared their story in this edition. “Martina was four years old when she was admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care, and they referred her to us for specialist support. With no diagnosis, her prognosis was unknown, and she required complex symptom management throughout her life. We were able to facilitate her parents’ wishes of having her at home at the end of her life. This was helped with the support of our Community Nursing team. It was a privilege to support Martina and her family through their difficult journey and thank them for sharing their story for this edition of Shine.”
Shine summer 2025
Welcome from Sarah and Rachael
Latest news
MP praises Shooting Star in debate
MPs recently emphasised the important work of Shooting Star in a parliamentary debate on hospice funding, which highlighted the challenges hospices face across the UK and the need for long-term support from the government.
Dr Mike Walker celebrates 20 years
2025 marks a milestone year for Dr Mike Walker, who has worked with Shooting Star for 20 years. As the lead doctor of the local practice closest to Christopher’s, he works very closely with our clinical team providing expertise and support.
Language Support
We currently provide support in 15 different languages
As part of our ongoing strategy to support every family, our Family Support team, including counsellors, therapists and family support workers, are proud to be able to offer our bespoke support in a range of languages.
Arabic | Cantonese | English | French | Hindi | Italian | Mandarin | Marathi | Nyanja | Punjabi | Spanish | Tagalog |Tamil | Urdu
In addition, ReciteMe (accessed via Accessibility and Translations button at the top of the website) can translate our website content into over 100 languages.
Martina's story
Parents Kristine and Mark were devastated when their daughter, Martina, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy at birth in April 2016, spending her first 43 days in hospital in the Philippines.
Features
Connecting families
In an increasingly fast-paced world, human connection has never been more essential. For the families we support, fostering meaningful connections with others facing the same unimaginable circumstances is hugely important. Our Care Events are continually refining our events to ensure they are accessible for all.
A look inside Splashers
Typically, taking your baby swimming is a rite of passage for many new parents, but for some of the children under our care, this opportunity is not so straightforward. We run Splashers, a specialised hydrotherapy group for babies and children with complex needs.
Fabulous Fundraisers
Mega Megan's success
Megan’s restaurants hosted a charity breakfast across all 21 of their sites in October, raising an incredible £25,000.
Tree-mendous collection
Our Christmas tree collection service made a triumphant return, with a dedicated team of 24 volunteers collecting a record-breaking 776 trees across Surrey and south-west London.
New counselling rooms
Burbeck Interiors generously renovated two counselling rooms at Shooting Star House, creating welcoming, functional spaces with thoughtful design elements.
Corporate cup returns
Mark your calendars for the second Shooting Star Corporate Cup six-a-side football tournament! Gather your team and help support a vital cause on Thursday 19 June. For more information or to get involved, email corporate@shootingstar.org.uk.
Shard's super success
Huge thanks to Shard Media who have raised £25,000 through their Credit Strategy, Reward Strategy and TRI Strategy communities.
Big Give Christmas Challenge
We once again took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, where donations were matched during the campaign week. This resulted in a phenomenal £123,000 raised (including Gift Aid) which will support our specialist bereavement service. Thanks ever so much to our champion funder The Childhood Trust.
Get involved
One Good Thing
Donating One Good Thing can make a huge difference. Our charity shops are always need quality pre-loved items, and as we all look to be more sustainable, donating items to a charity shop is an amazing way to support Shooting Star, and you may spot your next purchase!
Make a short life brighter with a gift in your will
By leaving a gift in your will to Shooting Star you can help support families through the darkest of times. Today, tomorrow and for years to come.
Join #TeamShootingStar this year
You can ricochet your way through the Guilford Inflatable course, enjoy the super-sensory and fully accessible Parallel Windsor, have a wheel of a time at Ride Reigate, make a splash at Swim Serpentine or don your trainers and join us for the Ealing Half Marathon and the Guildford 10k.