Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2017 | Page 33

Interview
Ultimately, after Mr Witham’s death, the
charity received a legacy of £6 million, on
which it developed a capital appeal for a
further £6 million – and opened Jacksplace
in January 2010.
Fast forward to 2017, and Naomi House
has been refurbished with state-of-the-
art facilities and 11 bedrooms, whilst
Jacksplace, which is linked by means of a
bridge access, offers a further six bedrooms.
As Mark points out, more and more
children are surviving to progress from
Naomi House to Jacksplace.
“I can think of one young lady who has
been using the services since she was four
years old and is now in her early 20s, having
just left university” he says.
Other youngsters have been supported
by the hospice from their first diagnosis,
often for a number of years through to
their last days.
This is why so many good hearted people
are willing to throw themselves into such
enthusiastic fund-raising for the charity.
Says Mark Smith: “We are very
appreciative of all the help and support we
get, and we will never take that for granted”.
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