Alexander Devine hospice founder dedicates MBE to 'remarkable' son

The co-founder of a children’s hospice in Maidenhead has dedicated her MBE to her ‘remarkable’ son for inspiring the charity’s journey.

Fiona Devine was named in the King’s Birthday Honours list on Friday in recognition of her services to children’s hospice care.

The 54-year-old set up the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service in 2007 after her son, Alexander, died from a brain tumour aged just eight.

The family recognised a need for Berkshire to have its own children’s hospice and in 2018 their vision became a reality as the charity opened its purpose-built facility in Snowball Hill.

Fiona told the Advertiser: “Journeys like this aren’t just about one person, they are inevitably about the many, many individuals, groups, children and families we support.

“Also, my family who have been on this journey with me from the very beginning and have been my absolute anchor and bedrock throughout this whole journey.”

She added: “Ultimately, this award is dedicated to Alexander. Without him, none of this would have been possible. Our service for the children and families we support now would not have been possible without that remarkable little boy.

“This has always been about him in terms of his humanity, his compassion and his kindness.

“This service is all about Alexander because that is the type of person he was. He always supported the underdog, always had a helping hand for others.”

Fiona had no idea she was line for an MBE until a letter dropped through her door from the Home Office two weeks ago.

Little did she know, her sister Debbie Tonkinson and Devine volunteer Sally Sharpe had been busy gathering letters of recognition for her unwavering work to support children with life-limiting illnesses.

Fiona added: “It’s just one of those things where you’re bursting to tell everybody but you just have to put it out of your head until the King’s Birthday Honours List is released.

“There’s many, many people on our journey who have helped us get where we are today. It is our sense of community that will keep us going and help us to get where we need to get to next.

“I very much hope this will help the charity in recognition of the wonderful work all the team at Alexander Devine do. It’s recognition for all our families and children we support, all our volunteers.”

The award coincides with Children’s Hospice Week which is running until June 23 to raise awareness and funds for children’s hospice services.

Back in April, Fiona spoke out over delays to vital government funding and the potential impact on the charity’s ability to deliver its full range of services.

Members of the public are urged to show their support this week by donating to the charity’s #Rocktheblue campaign.

Visit www.alexanderdevine.org/rocktheblue for more information.