In it, Kai's mums Leanne and Sara explain how Chestnut Tree House helped them make memories during his life and in their final days together.
Kai was supported by Chestnut Tree House for several years until he died just before Christmas in 2025.
Sara said: “Kai had a wonderful, cheeky personality, and our nickname for him was ‘Pickle’. He could show love just by the look in his eyes; those eyes spoke a million words. He always had a smile, too. Whenever his little sister Aya was around, he’d beam. And wherever we took him, he would be the centre of attention, with everyone cooing over him.
“When Kai was just five months old, we found out he had a life-limiting brain condition. He would never walk or talk, and wasn’t expected to live past the age of two. But amazingly, he defied this prediction and lived until he was six-and-a-half years old.”
Leanne said: “Because of the hospice’s care, Kai was able to join in activities that many families take in their stride - from swimming in the hydrotherapy pool to line-dancing at Chestnut’s day-long summer festival, Chestival. He even went dry-slope skiing. We'll never forget the smile on his face.”
Just before Christmas 2025 that Kai came to Chestnut for specialist end-of-life care following a long spell in hospital.
His family said in those final weeks, Kai had a special fireworks display, attended a Halloween party, enjoyed an early Christmas and had precious time with his family.
Sara said: “Chestnut Tree House was like coming home. A weight lifted from our shoulders - we could just breathe, hold Kai’s hand, and be a family again.”
The family, including little sister Aya, were able to use a special ‘cuddle bed’ to be close to Kai.
Sara said: “We could hold our baby boy properly for the first time in ages, comfort him and stroke his hair, with no machines or wires in the way. We needed that moment of just being mums embracing our son. Cuddled up to Kai, we slept well for the first time in years.”
Kai's story features as part of the Show Your Love appeal by Southern Hospice Group, a charity which includes Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice near Arundel, Martlets in Hove, and St Barnabas House in Worthing.
Southern Hospice Group said just 14 per cent of its costs are covered by NHS grants and funding heavily relies on local communities’ generosity.
Stuart Palma, CEO, said: “Specialist palliative and end-of-life care can make it possible to live life to the full in the time available, as the families in our films show. Hospice care helps families focus on being together and showing their love in ways that matter most to them.
“But funding for hospice care has not kept pace with rising costs, and services across the country are at risk, so that’s why we need to raise awareness of the difference it can make for families.”
The Show Your Love appeal runs throughout November to January.
People can donate to the appeal through fundraising or by getting involved in events taking place throughout the season.
At both adult hospices, there will be special ‘Light Up a Life’ events for bereaved families to come together and remember loved ones. In addition, special in-memory displays at both hospices will feature loved ones' names; dedications can be submitted up to Friday, December 4.
Visit the hospice websites to find out more.
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Kai with his family. Photo: Supplied