Hugo Taylor, champion, Rainbow Trust, writes:

Christmas can be a wonderful time of year for parties, ­celebrations and making ­wonderful memories with friends and family, but in the midst of all this thousands of families will be spending this festive season either in hospital or at home caring for their ­seriously ill child.

The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity will be ­supporting families across the country over the Christmas period, ensuring they get the support they need to help make life that little bit easier.

Family support workers ­provide practical and emotional support to families. At Christmas they allow parents some respite for Christmas shopping and to create special memories with siblings and sick children by visiting Santa, or they are there to listen and ­support during the difficult days.

I am a proud supporter of this incredible, caring charity and I urge everyone to help this Christmas by making a ­donation to fund more family support worker time with ­families this Christmas.

To make a donation, visit www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate, call 01372 363438, or text Rainbow to 70111.