Specialist children's nurse Hannah Gordon was invited to talk to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex about her role at WellChild's annual awards ceremony.

Hannah, team leader for Sirona care & health's Lifetime Service and WellChild nurse, was invited to attend the ceremony, which celebrates the inspirational qualities of seriously ill children and young people, their families and professionals who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives.

She was chosen by WellChild to sit next to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, so she could share her passion for her invaluable work and promote the need for additional WellChild nursing posts.

The Duke of Sussex is a patron of WellChild - the national charity for sick children. Thousands of children and young people are living across the UK with serious health needs. Many spend months, even years in hospital because there is no support enabling them to leave. WellChild exists to give these children the best chance to thrive at home, with their families.

Hannah was also able to talk about her role in the Lifetime Service and as a WellChild nurse with ambassadors, celebrity ambassadors and WellChild colleagues including Gaby Roslin, Emma Willis, Danny Jones and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Hannah said: "With these lovely and genuine people, I was able to share about my experience and role, and proudly talk about the amazing team I work with within the Lifetime Service. From the nursing team, the rota-co-ordinators, admin and psychology team."

Sirona provides NHS and Local Authority funded adult and children's community services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). The organisation's Lifetime Service is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The dedicated team offers a children's nursing and psychology service to children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.

Hannah added: "I was particularly proud that I was able to promote my passion for community children's nursing and working with children and young people living with life-threatening/life-limiting conditions through my Lifetime role and the WellChild nurse role.

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so grateful that a job that I absolutely love and feel so passionate about led me to such an experience."

WellChild provided the initial funding for a community children's nurse for the Lifetime Service and Hannah took on the role in 2022.

Karen Evans, Head of Specialist Services for Children and Sirona Integrated Immunisation Services, said: "We are delighted Hannah was chosen to attend the WellChild awards to share her passion for supporting families as part of our Lifetime Service and as the WellChild nurse.

"The work Hannah and the Lifetime team do is vital to seriously ill children, young people and their families across BNSSG and I am thrilled she was able to raise awareness of this invaluable service and the wonderful work of WellChild."

Sue Porto, Sirona's Chief Executive, said: "Our Lifetime team provides clinical nursing and psychology support to children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions in their own homes to enable them to stay out of hospital and to live at home. They make a huge difference to those they support, and I am so pleased Hannah's passion and dedication, and the work of the Lifetime team, has been recognised.

"We are very thankful to WellChild for historically funding this post within Sirona to further the fantastic support we offer to children, young people and their families across BNSSG."

WellChild has a nationwide network of children's nurses, home and garden transformation projects and family support services to enable seriously ill children and young people to be supported at home with their families.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, said: "For the years I've been Patron of WellChild, I've always been amazed by the care and kindness this organisation lives and breathes. I've spoken with countless families who have shared such gratitude for the comprehensive, around-the-clock support they've received from WellChild's family network.

"I've been struck by the immense power that comes from connecting families with others who understand and truly see them – and how WellChild has become an emotional support and information lifeline for many during the pandemic and beyond. The fact this network has since grown to more than 3,000 families is nothing short of remarkable."