Simon Cowell announced patron of national Children’s Hospices UK

October 30, 2009 by Baby Chums
Filed under: News

alex_and_mathew_ball_simon_cowell Simon Cowell, the X Factor judge whose infamous on-screen nastiness has made him a household name was today announced patron of national Children’s Hospices UK.

Simon Cowell delighted a clutch of sick children on a visit to a children’s hospice, while Dannii Minogue drew massive crowds at the switching on ceremony of the Harrods Christmas lights.

Cowell, who has been a long time supporter of the Chase Children’s Hospice, was this week named the patron of Children’s Hospices UK - which represents the UK’s network of 44 children’s hospice services.

Simon Cowell appears to have an altruistic side, saying: “I go to CHASE and suddenly I have no problems. These youngsters and their families are the ultimate reality check. This is real life where ordinary people are coping with unbelievable situations with amazing courage and dignity.”

Talking about children, Simon said: ‘They’re funny, they’ve always got opinions and you can learn a hell of a lot more from them than you do from grownups.

‘I just like being around them, maybe because I haven’t got kids. Maybe because I’m still a kid myself, I don’t know.’

Children’s hospices in the UK have little government support. Relying predominantly on fundraising to provide the most amazing care to youngsters suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.

On average just 12% of funding comes from government, which runs out in 2011. The rest is donations.

For more information visit: www.childhospice.org.uk