By Mal Butler
The KissyPuppy shop in Newport has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The charity was launched by Aaron Rolf and Gemma Blamire, the parents of Sophie Rolf, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012, aged just four, and passed away at the age of six.
Since then, the charity has helped raise thousands of pounds to pay for end-of-life healthcare for children at the Mountbatten Hospice.
Looking back over the 10 years, Aaron said: “We started by providing a couple of bespoke rooms for children and it grew from there. Nothing is taken away from adult care, but we ensure there is help for the little ones.
“You have to make memories for the children when you can. The nurses also have an office in the grounds where they can work and we fund the KissyPuppy Bereavement Service for families and children to support them in their time of need.
“We have recently funded the ‘Next Schools’ project, which involves Mountbatten working with local schools, bringing in pupils to see that the hospice is not a scary place and is very much focused on living, not dying.
“Our long-term goal is the funding for part of the Oak House redevelopment. This is the last unused building at Mountbatten which is earmarked for conversion, and which will include a bespoke area for the children.”
Isle of Wight Observer