MAKING MEMORIES: 'For Dee and Tilly, every moment really is a gift'
OK! UK|December 18, 2023
Stars Holly Willoughby and Simon Cowell are helping families make the most of precious time together
GEORGIA TREVITT AND TONY COWELL
MAKING MEMORIES: 'For Dee and Tilly, every moment really is a gift'

As a doting mother-of-three, Holly Willoughby treasures precious time spent with her children. That's why she - and a host of big-hearted stars from the worlds of TV, music and sport - have teamed up to support an important Christmas charity campaign that aims to raise vital funds for seriously ill children and their families.

Alongside her fellow Together For Short Lives patrons Simon Cowell and Peter Andre, and new ambassador Alesha Dixon, Holly is urging the public to dig deep for the charity's Every Moment Is A Gift appeal, which shines a light on the small moments many take for granted and helps children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses create precious memories.

Holly, who shares children Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and Chester, nine, with her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, launched the charity's Christmas campaign by highlighting the story of Dee and her seven-year-old daughter, Tilly.

Tilly is living with Rett Syndrome, a rare, progressive neurological disorder which has severely affected her brain development. But with the help of the charity, Holly, 42, says mother and daughter have been able to make the most of every moment together.

"Rett Syndrome means Tilly's needs are complex," says Holly, a "very proud" patron since the charity was founded in 2011. "Dee has been supported by Together For Short Lives' helpline, which offers emotional, practical and financial support to help families focus on making every moment count with their seriously ill child."

Now, with Christmas fast approaching, Holly says it's more important than ever to help families like Dee's make the time special. "For Dee and her daughter Tilly, moments like these mean everything," she says. "Every moment really is a gift."

I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW STRONG THESE PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE IT'S SO INSPIRING'

Esta historia es de la edición December 18, 2023 de OK! UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 18, 2023 de OK! UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE OK! UKVer todo
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
OK! UK

A CITY OF TWO HALVES

There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'Christmas is a double whammy'
OK! UK

'Christmas is a double whammy'

Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
OK! UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
OK! UK

'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'

Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
OK! UK

THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'I think we arrived right on time'
OK! UK

'I think we arrived right on time'

The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'No one knows who I am'
OK! UK

'No one knows who I am'

Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
OK! UK

'I still pinch myself about how we met'

Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
THE ROYAL WEEK
OK! UK

THE ROYAL WEEK

It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
OK! UK

WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 02, 2024