Vote for Havens Hospices in the final round of top charity film awards

A local hospice charity is calling on supporters to vote for two of its videos to win a top film award as they reach the final round.

Havens Hospices, which has two hospices based in Prittlewell and Thundersley, has two films nominated in the Smiley Charity Film Awards. The awards recognise the most impactful videos produced by charities, so more people know about their work and causes.

Thanks to the votes from the public, both films are now through to the Judge’s round but there’s a chance to vote for Havens Hospices to win the ‘People’s Choice’ category, so the charity needs the community’s vote.

Shortlisted alongside well-known national charities such as Muscular Dystrophy UK and Children with Cancer UK, its two films shortlisted focus on two families who use the services of Little Havens, Essex’s only children’s hospice.

One of the films tells the story of Elijah, who was diagnosed just hours after his premature birth at 31 weeks with a rare virus infection, causing a number of other complex conditions that affected his brain and development. The damage to his brain meant his family knew his life would be limited.

Just a month after sharing their experiences of Little Havens in this film, an infection became too much for Elijah to cope with. The family came to Little Havens to spend Elijah’s last few days together.

The second film shortlisted ‘Holding onto moments of Joy’, tells the story of Oscar whose family is supported by Little Havens – emotionally, with respite at home and symptom management care to help control Oscar’s pain.

Amy Dearing, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Havens Hospices says, “Because of the kindness and support from our communities, Havens Hospices is ecstatic to be through the final round of Smiley Charity Film Awards once again alongside well-loved and recognised charities. Storytelling, through film in particular, is a powerful tool that helps us raise awareness of our work and the impact our supporters’ donations have on the families we care for.

“Please vote for Havens Hospices, it’s free, takes less than a minute and will mean the world to the charity and those we’re supporting across Essex.”

To vote for Havens Hospices’ two films, visit https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/elijahs-story and https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/holding-onto-moments-of-joy-oscars-story  by 12th March.

To see more of the charity’s films, visit www.youtube.com/havenshospices

Published 4th March 2024 

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Elijah outside with mum and healthcare assistant, Emma.