By Neil Forbes
Your 109th donation took place on the 15th November in Athens Concert hall as the
recipient of your donation were hosting a conference there for several charities who
are involved in palliative care throughout Greece. There was an attendance of over 500!
We were pointed towards Merimna by the British Ambassador in Athens, Matthew
Lodge, he also gave us another 3 reputable children’s charities in Athens which gave
our steering group members a serious headache having to only select the one,
Merimna won by a narrow vote and we were able to set up the presentation very
quickly.
On the day, over 30 Supporters of TASA, attended the presentation, which was held in the main reception area of the Athens concert hall during the conference lunch break.
Video of presentation (3 mins)
The presentation was attended by Robyn Goldsmith who is the deputy head of
mission at the Embassy in Athens, Robyn actually hails from Airdrie, and it was great
to have her there in support of TASA’s work. Dr Eugenia Vathakou, who is the CEO of Merimna, welcomed the Scots who attended and gave us a full run down of the work they carry out:
The Founding and History of Merimna
Merimna is a non-profit organization, which was founded in 1995 by nine professionals comprised of university professors, paediatric hospital directors, mental health professionals and a clergyman, who all wanted to create something effective and well organized in Greece for children whose lives have been overturned by life threatening illness or the death of a loved one. In 2010 Merimna founded the Paediatric Palliative Home Care Service, which is the only service in Greece that provides medical and psychosocial care to children with life-threatening illness as well as to their families.
Their Mission
To provide meaningful and practical support and comfort to children in need during the difficult times of bereavement and life-threatening illness.
Their Vison
No child without proper support, in the difficult moments of bereavement and serious illness.
Their Goals
(a) To provide free quality care services to a child grieving the loss of a loved one or a child suffering from a life-threatening illness, in conjunction with the support of family members.
(b) The specialized training, supervision, and continuing education of mental health professionals and educators in supporting children experiencing illness, loss, or death, and the training of health professionals in paediatric palliative care.
(c) Raising awareness in Greek society and the development of community support relative to issues related to life, serious illness and death.
(d) Research on issues relating to the impact of serious illness and death on the lives of children and their families.
To conclude events, the Scottish supporters were treated to a lunch provided for all
conference delegates.
As you can see, the work they do is very important and fits with the aims of what the Sunshine Appeal hope to offer support for, when sadly children are impacted in such a devastating way.
#EverywhereWeGo