Parents Of Baby Girl Born With Life-Threatening Condition Thank Charity With Big Chocolate Tea Fundraiser

The parents of a little girl who survived a life-threatening condition are supporting The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea campaign.

Danielle Bestford, 26 and Corey Nelson, 22 from Wingate, were told to prepare for the worst when their unborn baby was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia, a condition which meant that their baby’s lungs would be underdeveloped and she would struggle to survive.

Just hours after their daughter Evie was born at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), she was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Hospital for life-saving treatment. At just three days old, Evie underwent major surgery to repair her hernia and at two weeks old was transferred back to the RVI, where she remained for another six weeks. During this time, Danielle and Corey were supported with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by The Sick Children’s Trust. Crawford House, which is located in the hospital grounds, is just a few minutes’ walk from the children’s wards and gave the couple a place where they could rest and recuperate.

Mum Danielle is now thanking The Sick Children’s Trust by holding a Big Chocolate Tea event on Saturday 22 April at the Jack Turnball Hall, Shotton Colliery. Danielle says:

“Crawford House gave us somewhere we could go which was homely, clean and close to our daughter who was so poorly. We were just a few minutes’ walk from our baby at any time which meant we didn’t have the additional worries of travelling every day from our home in Durham to the hospital or worry about paying for a hotel in Newcastle. By being just minutes from Evie’s side, Crawford House gave us a lot of security as we knew that if anything bad were to happen, we weren’t miles away. The ward could just call us directly on the phone in our room and we could be there in an instant.

“Evie is now doing really well and has been home with us for a few weeks now. And every day we see her getting stronger and stronger – she makes us so proud. We decided we wanted to hold a Big Chocolate Tea event to give back to The Sick Children’s Trust – the amazing charity that was there for us in our darkest time. The Sick Children’s Trust is there for people who need a ‘Home from Home’ and emotional support when they’re at their most vulnerable. To have a seriously ill child is a very stressful time for parents, and to know that you can be nearby is a huge help.

“We’d love to see people come along to our Big Chocolate Tea on Saturday 22 April. We will have cakes, pies, tea, coffee, stalls and a raffle – it will be a lot of fun! We will be at the Jack Turnball Hall (next to St Saviours Church) in Shotton Colliery from 11am – 2pm. Please come down and help us raise money for the increasing number of families who need support from The Sick Children’s Trust.”

Last year, Big Chocolate Tea raised £60,000 which gave 2,000 families free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation while their child undergoes treatment in hospital, keeping them together just minutes from their seriously ill child’s bedside. The Sick Children’s Trust hopes this year’s campaign will be an even greater success. Crawford House Assistant Manager, Linsey Brough, says:

“It’s lovely to hear that Evie is getting on well since she left the RVI, and we’re delighted to hear that Danielle and Corey are taking part in Big Chocolate Tea.

“The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital. Although the accommodation is provided free to families, it costs us £30 to support a family for one night. So we’re asking everyone, like Danielle and Corey, to join us in our most chocola-tea fundraising campaign and raise £30 to help support a family with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation minutes from their sick child’s hospital bedside.”

Supporters can choose to take part in Big Chocolate Tea at any point during the year and will receive a free fundraising pack full of goodies to hold the perfect event. For more information and to request your pack, please visit: http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea.