Derek Phillips, the founder of children’s hospice charity Demelza, has died aged 83.
Phillips, who was living in Southampton at the time of his death, stepped down as chair of the board of trustees in 2001, taking on the role of Demelza’s founder president.
Demelza is a children’s charity providing clinical care and emotional support to children with serious or life-limiting conditions in the south east of England.
Along with his late wife Jennifer, Phillips established the charity in memory of their daughter Demelza, who died of a brain tumour aged 24.
Wanting to continue Demelza’s legacy, and after a four-year fundraising effort which amassed £4m, the couple opened the charity’s first hospice in 1998 in Sittingbourne, Kent.
The hospice was in a coast house which Phillips, an architect, had designed himself.
Over the years, Demelza expanded by merging with two other charities; opening a hospice in Eltham, south east London, and a community hospice at home service in east Sussex.
The charity, originally called Demelza House, supports over 2,500 children and family members every year, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care.
Last year, the charity shortened its name from Demelza Hospice Care for Children to Demelza.
Debt of gratitude
Paying tribute to the founder, Demelza CEO Lavinia Jarrett said: “We owe a great deal to the insight, dedication and fortitude of Derek Phillips.
“He had great vision and belief that the people of the south east would support the needs of a hospice for the children in our area.
“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.”
In May 2022, Phillips received a prime minister’s Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
Demelza chair Sean Reynolds said: “Demelza had worked at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Birmingham. After her funeral, Derek and Jennifer visited the hospice and saw that it was not a place of sadness and regret; instead, it radiated cheerfulness.
“They had a vision to create something just as special in the south east of England in her memory and the courage and energy to bring that to reality.
“The board of trustees owes a debt of gratitude for Derek’s long years of service as founder president and support for the children’s hospice movement. Our sincere condolences go out to Derek’s family.”
