Spending less time with his mum this Christmas doesn’t matter to six-year-old Eden.

He knows that when Abi Cook isn’t with him in their Woodley home, she will be making the festive period special for children who “don’t get to live to be as big as me.”

Eden and his brother Theo, 10, want people in Reading to know about the work Abi does taking care of seriously ill children for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service so that she can continue to do so.

“Some days my mum says she feels sad. Some of the children she looks after don’t get to live to be as big as me,” said Eden in a video made by the hospice.

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“I am glad they have my mum to look after them.”

He continued: “She gives the best hugs and I don’t mind sharing them”

Above: Theo and Eden launch the hospice's Christmas appeal and you can donate here.

The Hospice supports more than 135 children and families across Berkshire with specialist play, symptom management, end of life care and bereavement support.

It costs more than £1.8m each year to run, 80 per cent of which comes from donations and fundraising.

One girl supported by Alexander Devine nurse Abi is Hattie, who has a life-limiting condition.

“Hattie adores visiting the hospice for respite. Although she is non-verbal, the way her eyes light up and her massive smile tells us she loves being there,” said her mum Abbie Harwood.

“Hattie is non-mobile so she’s very restricted to what she is able to do but being at Alexander Devine has really opened up her world and she experiences so much interaction and stimulation whilst on her visits.”

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Research shows that there are over 1,370 children in Berkshire and a further 1,394 children from surrounding areas with life-limiting conditions.

CEO and co-founder of the the hospice Fiona Devine said: “We are so proud of Eden and Theo.

"What an amazing job they have done in telling people about their mum.

"They spoke so beautifully and helped us demonstrate why our children’s hospice service is such a lifeline to those that need us. 

She said: "None of the vital work that our Alexander’s Nurses like Abi do would be possible without the kindness of supporters across our community. 

"So we do hope that with Eden and Theo’s help our Christmas appeal will help us raise some vital funds this festive season.”