1,000 pebbles and counting

John Routledge, 79, from Hampton, south-west London, has been volunteering with Momentum for eight years, using his artistic talents to create beautifully painted pebbles for seriously ill children and their siblings. He also paints special pebbles for families supported by Momentum Echoes, the charity’s bereavement service.

John paints the pebbles as a way of showing support to families at an incredibly challenging time. Children can have their pebble at home, in their garden, or they can take it to hospital – it can be with them wherever they go. Each pebble takes John between two hours to a whole day to paint, and his designs have included Spiderman, Lightening McQueen, Buzz Lightyear, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Peppa Pig, Bluey, Taylor Swift, football clubs, favourite pets, and the London skyline.

John started pebble painting nine years ago when he hid them in the playground of his granddaughter’s school for children to hunt for. Someone at the school asked John to paint one for her friend whose son Thomas had sadly died. The design was a silhouette of her husband and other son, looking up at Thomas, who was now a special star. After seeing how much a beautifully hand-painted pebble meant to a family supported by Momentum, the charity approached John and asked if he would paint pebbles for other families supported by them.

As well as painting pebbles, John also volunteers at Momentum events, and is part of their Doorstep Santa initiative, bringing magic and Christmas cheer to families at their homes.

Talking about painting the pebbles, John Routledge said: “When I first started painting pebbles for Momentum, I never imagined I would reach anywhere near the amount I have. The 1000^th pebble was a design of Spiderman eating a pizza. It brings me joy to know that I can bring a little happiness to children and families going through such difficult times. and I hope each pebble brings a smile to the child who receives it. Reaching 1,000 is a special milestone, but I am not planning to put my paintbrushes down just yet – there are lots more pebbles to paint!”

A mum who received two painted pebbles for her daughters said: “It sounds like something small, but special things like this when the kids are going through something so traumatic means the world. It is a quiet acknowledgement that they are going through a tricky time, but they are seen and cared for.”

Celebrating John’s achievements, Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “John is an incredibly talented volunteer who has devoted countless hours to painting pebbles for children supported by Momentum. Every pebble is unique, reflecting the thought, care, and creativity he puts into each one. We can’t thank John enough for the time, generosity, and kindness he continues to give. Reaching 1,000 pebbles is an amazing achievement, and we can’t wait to see him reach the 2,000 milestone!”

Momentum families across Surrey, Sussex, and London whose child has cancer, a life-challenging condition, or has sadly died. Through their hospital partnerships, their Family Support Workers provide practical and emotional support tailored to the needs of the whole family, both in hospital and at home.

Momentum is always looking to welcome new volunteers – whether you can spare just a few hours once or join us on a regular basis. From fundraising and lending a hand in the office, to cheering at events, and painting pebbles – there is a role to suit every skill, schedule, and personality. To find out more about please visit www.momentumcharity.org

Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to care for the emotional and mental wellbeing of every single family member, through our family support workers. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support through our Momentum Echoes service. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful, and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting over 2,800 individuals across 726 families in 2025/26. This includes 506 families with children in active treatment and 220 bereaved families.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373

For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931