This Grandparents Day I want to shine a light on the contribution grandparents make supporting families today, especially those with a seriously ill child.

When a family has a child who is life threatened or terminally ill, every member of the family is placed under unimaginable pressure. For grandparents the pressure is twofold, as they watch their child in a crisis they cannot fix, while feeling the pain of seeing their precious grandchild so unwell.

The courage these grandparents show every day makes them truly remarkable. So my message to them is this: ‘You are amazing, and you deserve this day to celebrate the special relationship with your grandchildren and recognise all that you have achieved in supporting your family. Your hard work and the emotional burden you tirelessly carry does not go unnoticed and I add my thanks to you all.

To help Rainbow Trust support more grandparents with emotional and practical help donate online at rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate or call 01372 220086.

Anne Harris