Very Special Kids Hospice in Malvern is a children’s hospice where families can access planned and emergency respite, as well as end-of-life care.

It costs $7 million per year to operate Very Special Kids, and from April through June, Very Special Kids is fundraising to ensure we keep our doors open.

Please donate to our annual Hospice Appeal.

It was Australia’s first children’s hospice when it opened in 1996 and it remains the only service of its kind in Victoria for children with life-threatening conditions. Most children who stay at Very Special Kids Hospice have complex medical and care needs.

Providing 24 hour specialist nursing care, Very Special Kids Hospice is a home-away-from home that features bright lounge areas, soft-play areas, gardens, a music therapy room, a multi-sensory room and fun-filled school holiday and weekend activities.

As an integral element for our family support program, Very Special Kids Hospice provides families with much-needed planned and emergency respite care. The hospice makes it possible for families to have a break, to go out for dinner, on a holiday, or just to go home and catch up on the sleep they so desperately need.

During a respite stay at Very Special Kids Hospice, the hospice team of doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers become familiar with the child’s care needs and  work to a routine the child knows at home, which provides parents or carers the ability to relax.

While the family support is provided free-of-charge to those who need our care, it costs Very Special Kids $1,000 to provide one bed night at our children’s hospice.  We rely substantially on generous community fundraising and there are a number of ways you can donate to our important children’s charity.

Very Special Kids will also see the support of more than 1,000 participants as they compete in the 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge from 22-23 May, to raise funds for Very Special Kids Hospice.