Couple’s fundraising mission raises over £14,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust

The parents of a little girl who nearly lost her life to meningitis are celebrating raising nearly £15,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust, the charity that gave them a place to stay minutes from their daughter’s hospital bedside.

In 2019, Becks and Steve Jones, from Halesworth, set themselves a fundraising mission to thank The Sick Children’s Trust for supporting them during the toughest time of their lives. The couple, who respectively took on the London Marathon and Ride London, raised a staggering £14,430 for the charity that gave them a comfortable place to stay at its ‘Home from Home’ Acorn House when Beth was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Their support has continued for The Sick Children’s Trust as the whole family feature in the charity’s new film which highlights the impact having a place to stay near your sick child can have on the family’s wellbeing. Mum Becks said:

“When we arrived at Addenbrooke’s Hospital we were told about The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ Acorn House. It was a godsend and became a home to me and Steve, alongside Beth’s older brother, Ollie, and my mum Beverley. I honestly believe that we wouldn’t have got through it without the sanctuary of Acorn house.

“Beth fought meningitis with every ounce of strength she had and she is doing so well two years on. Her epilepsy is under control, her speech is coming on and she’s just started taking a few steps with her walker. We’re really proud of her.”

As a new decade begins, The Sick Children’s Trust is focusing on supporting even more families with seriously ill children in hospital with a place to stay and friendly ear to listen. Over the last ten years, the charity has supported 33,749 families across its ten ‘Homes from Home’ which has been possible because of supporters like Beth’s family whose fundraising efforts go directly towards covering the running costs of the charity’s ‘Homes from Home’. Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive of The Sick Children’s Trust, said:

“No parent with a seriously ill child in hospital should have to worry about how they can be by their hospital bedside. There is such a high demand of families who need to be close to their child, with over two million children being admitted to hospital every day in critical conditions. That’s why in the last ten years we have made it our priority to open three more ‘Homes from Home’ to keep families together.

“We believe that if a child has their family by their side it helps aid their recovery and supports the well-being of the family, like Beth’s.

“This month marks the start of a new decade, and as a charity we will continue to be there for families who find themselves with a seriously ill child in hospital, giving them a place to stay and one less thing to worry about.”

To watch The Sick Children’s Trust’s film featuring The Jones family, visit: sickchildrenstrust.org

To make a donation to The Sick Children’s Trust, visit sickchildrenstrust.org