Woman who throws Christmas parties for sick children acknowledged

July 9, 2009

The work of a Watford woman who throws Christmas parties for ill children from local hospitals each year has been acknowledged by the Queen.

Claire Lish was invited to join others at the Queen’s summer garden party this week in recognition of the work she does in her community.

Over the past three Christmases Lish has organised a Christmas party for sick and terminally ill children at the Watford Hilton Hotel. Lish invites around 200 children to the party, where they eat a festive meal, receive gifts and have a disco.

All the children have visited the Watford General Hospital’s Starfish ward in the year prior to the party. Lish’s own son, Paddy was born prematurely eight years ago and she started the parties as a chance to repay the hospital for the care they gave Paddy when he was born. She says, “I thought he was going to die so I feel really grateful to them. Now he's a real cheeky chap…I had to give something back and I get more out of it than I put in when I see all the happy faces. It's my little way to say thank you.”

The Christmas party is always a great success and is a “really fun afternoon for sick and terminally ill children,” according to Lish.