“TO make a child and their family happy makes it all worthwhile.”

Those are the words of Prof Khalid Aziz, who is stepping down as chairman of Naomi House Hospice in September.

Prof Aziz has been leading the charity since 1992, five years before the hospice was built.

He began his career as a television journalist, working for the BBC, then ITV and Channel 4 as a business and industry journalist.

He said: “It’s going to be quite a wrench to leave this behind but it was my decision to stand down. It’s time for new blood at the charity and I leave it in very good heart and a sound financial position. It’s a wonderful charity and will go from strength to strength.”

The hospice, along with sister site jacksplace, cares for children and young adults with lifelimiting conditions, which means Prof Aziz has experienced highs and lows over his two decades as chairman.

He said: “We have to say goodbye to most of the children who come here, which is a great sadness.

But there is a great amount of joy, too.

“I’ll always remember a girl called Amanda. She could not take food through her mouth and had difficulty breathing, relying on a ventilator.

"But she wanted a picture of herself in a jacuzzi holding a glass of champagne, she thought it was really cool.

"My job was to look after her ventilator as she was getting into the jacuzzi and it was nerve-wracking as I worried what might happen to it. But it was fine and she got the picture and we used it in our newsletters because it was so great.”

He added: “There are many, many examples where we have been able to do something to make a child and their family happy and that makes it all worthwhile.

“I cannot forget the fantastic support from people, either. I remember receiving a pound coin sellotaped to a piece of cardboard from a pensioner, who said it was not much but hoped it was enough, and then I remember receiving the last £500,000 needed to finish the hospice. Both are incredible.”

As chairman he has also welcomed his fair share of important guests, including the Prince of Wales, who opened the hospice, and most recently the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

After stepping down Prof Aziz will take over as chairman at disability charity Enham and said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

The hospice is now on the lookout for an inspirational new chairman to work alongside the board and chief executive Chris Robinson. For more information visit naomihouse.org.uk.