TV chef Nisha Katona and horse Spotty bring joy to children at Claire House

TV chef and Mowgli founder Nisha Katona brought smiles, cuddles and a very special four‑legged friend to Claire House.

Last week, Nisha visited our Wirral hospice with her horse, Spotty, to create magical memories for some of the children we support.

Nisha, known for appearing on ITV’s This Morning, Sunday Brunch, and in her own series Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen, spent the afternoon meeting four children currently staying at the hospice. Together, they enjoyed a rare experience – a horse visit in the hospice garden.

The children stroked Spotty’s nose, fed him treats and posed for photos that their families will treasure forever.

“It’s moments like this that mean everything to our children,” said Jennifer Hanley, Corporate Fundraiser.

“Nisha and Spotty’s visit brought so much joy to the children, and it perfectly reflects the incredible generosity behind this partnership. The phenomenal amount Nisha and the Mowgli teams have raised truly helps us do what we’re able to do – from providing specialist nursing care to creating precious memories for families when they need them most. We simply couldn’t do it without supporters like them.”

A decade of support

This visit marked nearly 10 years of Nisha’s passionate support for Claire House. Through The Mowgli Trust, she and her teams have donated an incredible £326,549 to the hospice. The amount contributes to the £550,725.95 raised for Liverpool charities and the £2.6m+ raised for good causes since the Trust began.

For Nisha, Claire House is far more than a charity.

“Claire House feels like a child I’ve adopted,” she said during her visit. “It’s an amazing charity, it changes the lives of so many incredible families. Supporting Claire House gives me and Mowgli such a sense of mission, and meeting children who are helped by the hospice is always so enlightening.”

Making a difference, one meal at a time

At Mowgli’s Water Street restaurant in Liverpool, teams invite diners to add a discretionary £1 to their bill, helping to fund the vital care Claire House provides. Staff also take on charity challenges, from abseils to Tough Mudder events, all led by Mowgli’s dedicated charity champions.

“Charity gives business heart,” Nisha explained. “Our teams are not only serving food, they’re raising money for an amazing cause and changing the lives of babies, children and their families.”