MAKING MEMORIES: 'For Dee and Tilly, every moment really is a gift'

Stars Holly Willoughby and Simon Cowell are helping families make the most of precious time together

- GEORGIA TREVITT AND TONY COWELL

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'