Claire House mums enjoy cocktail class ahead of charity cocktail launch

Mums supported by local children’s hospice received a cocktail master class from El Gato Negro to celebrate the release of new charity cocktail in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice.

A group of bereaved mums who are supported by Claire House Children’s Hospice were invited to the newly reopened El Gato Negro on Castle Street, Liverpool to celebrate the launch of a new cocktail in aid of the hospice.

The ‘Claire House Cocktail’, launched on Monday 2^ndJune, is made with the colours of Claire House; pink and blue, and features their signature rice paper character in the shape of a butterfly. £1 from every cocktail sold will be donated to the hospice and is going to be ran as a June special.

Abbie Skelton, from El Gato Negro, who arranged the event, said “We run monthly specials in our restaurants in our kitchen with seasonal produce. When we were discussing ways to support Claire House the idea of a cocktail came up. Choosing a cocktail with the colours of Claire House was like a match made in heaven.”

“We had the idea of throwing a cocktail making event for the bereaved mums and it was the perfect way to show Claire House how we are going to support them.”

Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children make the most of the time they have however long or short that may be. By providing specialist nursing and end of life care, as well as emotional support Claire House helps families through some of the toughest times of their lives.Emma, whose daughter Freya was supported by Claire House, said, “Claire House has been a constant in our lives since we were first introduced to the hospice when Freya had just turned five.

“They looked after us for many years and were there when Freya passed away aged 16 years old.

“We will be forever grateful for their love, care, kindness and support.”

Talking about the cocktail making event, Emma said: “It was so nice to meet up with the other mums and feel comfortable enough with each other to talk about our experience of Claire House and the part they played in our children’s lives.

Katie, mum of Ava, said “We made some of our most precious memories at Claire House or on day trips with them.

“Ava passed away on the 27th December 2023 and I have continued to have support from Claire House every week.

“I really enjoyed making the cocktails with the other mums and some of the Claire House staff. For me anything that includes Ava and any of the other children who have passed away, means the world.”

When the mums were talking during the cocktail making, they realised all of their children were born in May.

Katie said: “To have all our children’s birthdays at the start of May and then at the end we have all come together and had a good time, was truly lovely.”

Speaking on the support of Claire House, Katie shares: “Claire House staff are like our second family, and they’ve helped me through all the hardest parts of my life. That’s something I’ll never be able to thank them enough for.”

Tia, whose son Dennis was supported by Claire House, said: “Claire House has supported me in so many ways. They have given me the confidence to be able to mix with others in a similar situation and be open about my feelings without feeling any shame or guilt and supporting us as a family on our little boy’s journey.”

“I really enjoyed the cocktail class it was a nice release from reality. We had a really good laugh and a good talk about what life is like for us all now.

“My favourite part was toasting the new Claire House cocktail to my little boy Dennis and the other angels of the other mums.

The ‘Claire House Cocktail’ will feature on El Gato Negro’s menu throughout the month of June and £1 from every cocktail will be donated to Claire House.