✨ JellyCats for Christmas in Intensive Care ✨ A Christmas fundraiser by A Special Heart Like Mine.
As we approach some big milestones, the 4th anniversary of losing Lando, Koa’s 1st birthday just weeks away, Remy’s 2nd open-heart anniversary, and Nico already counting down the sleeps until Christmas , I’ve been reflecting a lot on how we spent last Christmas, and how difficult this one will be.
Christmas 2024 was one of the hardest of our lives, as it is for many. Four days before Christmas, Koa had emergency open-heart surgery, his second during that admission, which ultimately became his last. On Christmas Day, he was on ECMO (life support). I spent the morning at home with Nico and Remy, then the rest of the day by Koa’s bedside in intensive care. The guilt of not being with all of my babies at once was unbearable. That same day, another family lost their little girl. Their Christmases will never be the same, and I will never forget it.
While sitting in intensive care that Christmas, I saw so many babies and children spending the day alone because their parents were torn between hospital and home. It’s an impossible choice. That’s where the JellyCat idea came from. This Christmas, I’d love to bring a little comfort to those children, something soft and special to hold onto. A JellyCat to remind them how brave they are, that they’re never alone and even from afar, while we hope to spend Christmas at home this year, all those children are very much in our hearts.
The idea this year, we’re hoping to raise enough money to buy Christmas-themed JellyCats to donate on Christmas Eve to every baby and child in intensive care with poorly hearts, lungs and brains, as well as on the cardiac ward and respiratory wards at Leicester Royal. When I told Nico about my plan, I asked if he and Remy might like to help deliver them if we raise enough. His face lit up and with the biggest smile and a little jiggle, he said yes. So, we’re now on a little mission of love.
Many of us already buy shoebox gifts or Christmas tree tag presents for children around the world, would you consider adding a JellyCat for a child in hospital to your list this year?
How You Can Help
✨ Buy a JellyCat and give it to me to include in the Christmas Eve delivery (you can use the drop box at our local nursery if you’re local)
✨ Donate towards one, and I’ll order and wrap it for you
Donations will close on Friday 19th December 2025 to give us time to order, wrap and deliver the JellyCats on Christmas Eve.
❤️ About A Special Heart Like Mine
We are committed to bringing extra comfort to children receiving treatment in Cardiac Intensive Care Units across the UK.
Our donations are funded by money we would have spent at Christmas and birthdays on two of our children who lost their battle with congenital heart disease, along with kind donations from businesses and families like you. Every year, around 1 in 125 babies in the UK are born with a heart condition. Many need treatment within their first year, and over 300 children each year lose their lives before their first birthday. Many others face repeated surgeries and long stays in intensive care, often spending Christmas away from home.
We know how frightening and lonely that can be. Parents can’t always stay at their child’s bedside 24/7, so we want to give each child something small, soft and comforting, a JellyCat to hold close when they need it most.
Each of our children had a JellyCat during their hospital stays, and we believe they’re a perfect little symbol of courage and comfort.
Example Costs
• Medium Bashful Bunny - £25.00
• Medium Christmas Themed Cuddly - £33.00
Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bring comfort to a child spending Christmas in intensive care and on the wards.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts,
for reading, remembering and if you’re able, for donating.
With love,
A Special Heart Like Mine
✨ JellyCats for Christmas in Intensive Care ✨