Celebration of Life
at Lumiere
Celebration of Life experiences at Lumiere 💜
When you’ve sat beside a child you love in hospital, not knowing what the next few hours or days are going to bring, it changes you. As a family, we’ve had more than one moment with Jaxon where we’ve been absolutely terrified of losing him. It’s a feeling we wouldn’t wish on anyone 💔
Those experiences have made us realise just how precious every little moment is, and how important it is for families to have opportunities to make memories together.
Inspired by Holly Dolly 🩷
Hayley has shared with us the story of her beautiful daughter, Holly, affectionately known as Holly Dolly. Through her words, we’ve come to know a little of Holly’s life, the challenges she faced and the love that surrounded her.
Listening to Hayley speak as Holly’s mum has stayed with us. Alongside the care and uncertainty that can come with a child’s complex health needs, there is your little girl her personality, the things she loves and the moments you share as a family. Those are the things we want to help families make space for.
We never had the privilege of meeting Holly ourselves, but hearing about her through Hayley has touched our hearts. The memories they made together and the love Hayley continues to share for her daughter have helped inspire us to offer something meaningful to other families facing the unimaginable.
A day completely about your child 💜
Every 4–6 weeks, we want to gift a Celebration of Life party to a child living with a life-limiting condition or receiving end-of-life care.
These celebrations are about celebrating your child now, at a time that feels right for your family. There doesn’t need to be a birthday or a milestone — simply an opportunity to spend time together with the people who love them most.
We want every child to feel loved, special and surrounded by their favourite people. A day completely about them, with space for their favourite things, smiles, laughter, photographs and precious memories for their family to hold onto.
We’ll work with each family to understand their child’s needs and wishes, and how we can help make the experience personal and comfortable for them.
What’s included 💜
Each celebration includes a free 1.5-hour party for up to 15 children. If you would like more children to attend, please let us know on your request form and we can explore whether we’re able to accommodate this.
We can also provide party boxes and food completely free of charge. Our team will discuss any dietary requirements and your child’s individual needs with you, helping make the day feel personal and special for your family.
Request a celebration
If this is something you would love for your child, please complete our website request form. If there is a particular urgency, please make us aware so we can take this into consideration.
As spaces are limited, submitting a request does not confirm a booking. Every request will be considered with care, and a member of the Lumiere team will be in touch.
In loving remembrance of Holly Dolly 💐🩷
A little girl we never got to meet, but whose story will always stay with us and continue to inspire what we do.
Holly's Story
Our Beautiful Holly 💗
Holly Smallman was so much more than her medical conditions. She was a beautiful, strong and very loved young girl from Liverpool who touched so many people’s hearts.
When Holly was born, her family were told she might not even make it to her first birthday. But Holly was a fighter from the very beginning.
She went on to give her family 18 amazing years.
Holly had complex health needs and needed care around the clock, but that was only one part of who she was. She was loved beyond words, full of personality and she brought so much happiness to the people around her.
And if you knew Holly, you knew one thing for sure she loved pink.
Pink, glitter and a little bit of magic just feels like Holly.
Her mum Hayley and her family did everything they could to make sure Holly had the best life possible. They wanted her home, surrounded by the people who loved her, making memories and enjoying every moment they could together.
Claire House Children’s Hospice played a huge part in Holly’s life and supported her family for many years. Holly was also very well known at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where so many people got to know and love her.
Holly even appeared on the BBC programme Hospital, helping people see what life can really be like for children with complex health needs and for the families who care for them every single day.
Sadly, Holly passed away in March 2020 at just 18 years old.
Losing Holly left a space that could never be filled.
But Holly’s story did not end there.
Her mum Hayley has continued to speak up, fundraise and fight for better support for children and families. She has worked so hard to make sure Holly’s life continues to mean something and that other families get the help and support they desperately need.
That is Holly’s legacy.
A little girl who was never expected to reach her first birthday went on to change so many lives.
She showed everyone around her what strength really looks like.
She showed the importance of making memories, loving hard and making every single moment count.
Holly may no longer be here physically, but she is still very much a part of everything her family does.
Her name is still spoken.
Her story is still being shared.
And her beautiful trail of pink, glitter and magic will always remain.
Our beautiful Holly. Forever 18. Forever loved. Forever remembered. 💗✨