Our Story
The Three Ells Trust was formed in 2000 by David and Helen Naerger following the loss of their son, Lewis, aged 16 years from an Osteosarcoma (Primary Bone Tumour). The charity was set-up to make a difference to the lives of children, and their families, who have cancer or other life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.
We work closely with the Teenage Cancer Trust at Southampton General Hospital as well as the Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital. We provide recreational and educational equipment at these hospitals and to families at home. We also assist with the often-overlooked financial impact of travel and accommodation costs involved in the care or treatment of a loved-one. Since 2011, we fully funded the post of Paediatric Palliative Care nurse at Kingfisher Ward Dorset County Hospital. This post was established by Mairead Farrell and she continued in the role for five years before moving on to pastures new.
The Three Ells Trust will always be grateful for her enthusiasm, dedication and development of the post, it was more than we could have ever hoped for in the early days. In 2017 we welcomed Emma Davies to the post and she has continued to work with the Children's Community Nursing team and provide families with the much-needed support. In 2021, Dorset County Hospital agreed to take over the funding of this post going forward. This is fantastic news and The Three Ells Trust is now liaising with Community Children's Nursing team with the hope of funding a different post to help children and young people that are facing huge challenges within health care at such difficult times in their lives.
We continue to support the Teenage Cancer Trust's Youth Empowerment Programme in Southampton and the South where local children go for treatment. Our donation will make a fundamental difference to the work they are able to do giving young people with Cancer the vital non-clinical care they are desperately in need of. This is to understand and cope with their diagnosis and reduce their isolation.
