Anthea described her journey from crystallising the idea of a hospice for children in 1985 to seeing it built as the first one in London. There is now a second one, with two more being planned.

The core purpose is

"to accompany families with children and young people with life limiting or life threatening conditions during the child or young person's journey through life to death, creating positive experiences along the way which become good memories for the future." 

Undertaking a survey of paediatricians in North East Thames had been useful in getting some measure of the need. In December 1987 Anthea had left the London and worked part-time at St. Bartholomew's School of Nursing. Visiting adult hospices had provided some idea of the process, but it had been a journey of discovery, viewing potential sites, involving the local health authorities and the boroughs, setting up a charity and raising the necessary funds.

She had to change from being 'a nice lady with a good idea', to one who 'means business, with research findings and a feasibility study'. In 1990 a steering group was set up, that in time became the management committee. The charity was first registered as the 'East London Trust for Children with Special Needs,' in 1995 it changed the name to the 'Richard House Trust'.

Anthea paid tribute to the late  Pat Kingsmill for his practical help in planning the building process. A care subcommittee had been set up to formulate the care provision and admission criteria. Another Londoner, Heather Richardson, was appointed as the Project Director in 1997. The first turf was cut at the 2.7 acre site in the former Royal Docks, at Becton, in May 1999. In August 1999 Peter Ellis became the Chief Executive, by October 1999 a Director of Care was in post. The first stage of the building was completed in January 2000 and the staff moved in to offer Day Care. In June 2000 the care at home service started, as did a befriending service. 

The Philip Green Day Centre now offers each child respite for a few hours a week in a safe, stimulating, environment including a multi-sensory room, that promotes play and relaxation. The Centre can take 10 - 12 children, but if 1:1 care is needed then it is only 6-8 children at a time.

Homecare offers respite and palliative care within the family home.

The Befriending Service provides emotional, social and practical support to parents and siblings. Support continues after the death of a child or young person.

Richard House services are provided free of charge. Funds come from individuals, groups, organisations and companies, particularly in the City of London. Richard House has been chosen by Credit Suisse First Boston's charity of the year for 2004.

The Residential unit has two family suites and can offer 24 hour respite and palliative care. It has 8 beds. Caring around the clock will cost over £2 million pounds for 12 months.  A collection was made at the end of the morning session and the League raised over £400 for the Hospice.

Anthea showed a short video of the children, activities and staff. A question and answer session followed.

Q How do the parents react when they see their children in the video?

A. The video was made for fundraising, although it has other uses such as induction and in professional training days. The families of those featured gave permission.

Q. What is the upper age limit?

A. 19 years. Life-limiting conditions used to lead to death before the age of 20 years, but modern medicine has helped to extend life. Hospices are now considering extending services to young adults.

Q. What are the selection criteria for admission?

A. The same criteria are used by all children's hospices. Referral is open, a medical letter is then required to confirm the diagnosis. A small team does the assessment.

Q. How easy is it to recruit trained staff?

A. There is a national shortage of paediatric nurses. This slowed the opening of the overnight beds to four nights for four beds, now the beds are open for seven nights.

Q. What is the medical cover?

A. A paediatric palliative care consultant visits once a week and is on call for advice. A GP provides cover.