The second Friday in October, which this year falls on Friday 12 October 2018, is a day for raising international awareness of the work of children’s hospices and children’s palliative care (CPC) services worldwide. The campaign is called Hats On for Children’s Palliative Care with the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC.

Prof Julia Downing, ICPCN’s Chief Executive calls for #HatsOn4CPC support for the 2017 campaign

WHO CAN JOIN IN THE FUN?
Anyone can join this campaign – we want it to go viral so please help us spread the word. 

WHAT IS THE DAY ABOUT?
The day aims to raise funds for children’s palliative care, but more importantly, to raise awareness of the rights of very sick children with incurable and life-threatening illnesses to receive palliative care.

We know that there are in excess of 21 million children in the world who live with a life-limiting illness or condition that will or could drastically shorten their lives.

Sadly, just 1% of these children are accessing palliative care services. Services that do exist are mostly in the developed world. Those in the developing world are often underfunded and inadequate to meet the overwhelming need. As a result, millions of children have a poor quality of life and suffer from pain and other distressing symptoms which could be controlled and significantly improved with palliative care.

WHAT IS CHILDREN’S PALLIATIVE CARE?
Children’s palliative care (CPC) is holistic care that responds to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of a child with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness as well as providing care for the child’s family. It aims to provide expert pain relief and symptom control and whatever emotional, social and spiritual support is required to enable the affected child to enjoy the best quality of life possible in the circumstances. When necessary, it supports the child at the end of life and continues to care for the bereaved family members for as long as is needed. This care is provided by a compassionate team of people who all wear different, and sometimes many, hats!

You can find out more about CPC on our FAQ page or download our Fact Sheet.

HOW CAN I TAKE PART IN HATS ON FOR CPC?
Hats On for CPC is a wonderful way to raise awareness and funds for children’s hospices and palliative care services. You can get involved at various levels, either as:

• An individual
• A school or company
• A children’s palliative care service or NGO

GET INVOLVED AS AN INDIVIDUAL

To take part as an individual, follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Wear a hat to work, school or college on Friday 12 October
2. Take a selfie, add the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC, upload to your Facebook page and tag ICPCN’s Facebook page
3. Make a donation of your choosing to ICPCN in honour of the day. You will find the donate button below.

You could also: 

• Get your friends together and host your very own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, share photos on social media and tag ICPCN. Use the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC
• Hold a hat making/hat wearing competition with prizes for the winners in different categories, such as most elegant hat, funniest hat, tallest hat, etc.
• Have a ‘Funky Hat Day’ at your work or school.

Register your event and we’ll put you on the map.

GET INVOLVED AS A SCHOOL, COLLEGE CLASS OR COMPANY

Host your own ‘Hats On 4 CPC’ event at your school or work place by following these 3 simple steps:

1. Download the free materials from our website.
2. Ask people to wear a hat on Friday 12 October and share photos with us on social media using the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC
3. Donate proceeds from your event to ICPCN or your local children’s hospice or children’s palliative care service.
4. . You will find the donate button below. 

Register your event and we’ll put you on the map.

RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUR OWN CHILDREN’S PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE OR NGO

Hats On 4 CPC is a wonderful way to raise funds for your charity. To do so follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Register your event with us. We will put you on our map. You will receive instructions and a special media pack to help you host a successful Hats On for CPC fundraising day. 
2. Once you have stickers, encourage your community (schools, businesses and other organisations) to support your organisation by purchasing stickers from your charity, wearing a hat on Friday 12 October and/or holding a Hats On for CPC event to raise funds for your organisation.
3. Share your photos on social media with #HatsOn4CPC and tag ICPCN.
   

   Register your event and we’ll put you on the map.

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I’VE COLLECTED THE DONATIONS – NOW WHAT?
Money collected can be donated to ICPCN or to a children’s hospice or palliative care programme in your community. If you are not sure of the closest service, take a look at the Map of Services on the ICPCN website or drop us email hidden; JavaScript is required

You can donate directly to ICPCN through the PayPal button below or using Zapper. By doing so you help us to help very sick children and their families receive the kind of care they deserve.

DONATE TO ICPCN USING PAYPAL

DONATE TO ICPCN USING ZAPPER

DONATE TO ICPCN THROUGH DIRECT BANKING

ICPCN Banking Details

Should you experience any problems, please email us at email hidden; JavaScript is required

DOWNLOAD MATERIALS

Numerous materials for use in marketing of your Hats on for CPC Campaign can be accessed here.

HAT TEMPLATES

Click here to download the hat templates.