Charity keeps families and their seriously ill children together this Christmas

Dear Editor,

The festive season should be a time of joy and celebration. Yet, for many families, it will be overshadowed by the worry and uncertainty of having a seriously ill child in hospital.

None of us want to imagine a child being seriously ill and needing treatment in a hospital many miles from home, especially at Christmas. The families we support travel an average of 86 minutes to be by their sick child’s hospital bedside. Without us they would sleep in uncomfortable hospital chairs, expensive hotels that they cannot afford, or even their cars.

This Christmas we expect all ten of our ‘Homes from Home’ to be full. These homes ensure that families with a seriously sick child in hospital can be together, but we can only continue this vital work with your support. As a charity that relies entirely on voluntary donations we’re feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, the same as the public, as the cost of keeping our ‘Homes from Home’ open has dramatically increased. No matter how big or small your contribution, your support will help keep families together when they need it most.

Last Christmas, we supported Joe and Charlotte at Eckersley House, our ‘Home from Home’ in Leeds, while their son, Billy, was recovering from the first of two open heart surgeries. Charlotte said:

“Billy was in recovery throughout the festive period, meaning he spent his first Christmas at the hospital. Obviously, it was nothing like how we imagined his first Christmas being. I was dreading Christmas Day. It is supposed to be a big family celebration, not spent alone in hospital.

“When we arrived on the ward on Christmas Day the medical staff had covered Billy’s bed with presents. We had even more gifts at Eckersley House, which was so lovely. All I wanted for Christmas was the three of us to be together, and because of The Sick Children’s Trust, we could be. At Eckersley House, we had everything we needed to take care of ourselves while staying just a short walk from Billy’s incubator. It was absolutely fantastic.

“Since his second surgery, Billy has been doing well and we’re looking forward to a big family Christmas this year. Throughout the day, our thoughts will also be with families whose children are still in hospital and the wonderful supporters of The Sick Children’s Trust who make it possible for them to stay together.”

All families deserve to be together at this precious time of year. While we never charge the families we support, it costs The Sick Children’s Trust £40 to keep a family together for one night. This Christmas, help us ensure families like Billy’s can be together by donating whatever you can.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy festive season.

CEO, The Sick Children’s Trust