‘He had great vision and belief’: Founder of children’s hospice charity dies aged 83

A  charity which provides clinical care and emotional support to children with life-limiting conditions has said  its founder, Derek Phillips, has died aged 83. 

Mr Phillips established the charity alongside his wife, Jennifer Phillips, in memory of their daughter Demelza, who died of a brain tumour in 1994, aged 24. 

After a four-year fundraising effort which raised £4million, the couple opened Demelza’s first hospice in 1998 in Sittingbourne, Kent.  

Demelza has expanded by merging with two other charities, opening a hospice in Wensley Close, Eltham.

The charity provides support every year to more than 2,500 children and family members providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care, as well as family liaison, sibling support and creative therapies.

Paying tribute to the founder, Demelza chief executive Lavinia Jarrett, who joined Demelza in 1999, said: “We owe a great deal to the insight, dedication and fortitude of Derek Phillips. 

“Our supporters have never disappointed and have never failed to ensure Derek’s vision lives on, providing specialist care and support to children and their families.” 

Mr Phillips, who was living in Southampton at the time of his death, stepped down as chairman of the board of trustees in 2001, taking on the role of Demelza’s founder president.

In May 2022, Mr Phillips received a Prime Minister’s daily Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community.

A tribute page has been set up in memory of Mr Phillips: Tribute to Derek Phillips (muchloved.com)

Pictured top: Derek Phillips (Picture: Demelza)