Parents 'step to it' to raise hundreds for sick children's charity

The parents of a little girl who was born critically ill are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds to thank the charity that gave them a 'Home from Home', keeping them by their daughter's side.

Bec France and Scott Kelly, from Chesterton, are hosting a 'lindy hop' dance fundraiser 'Give Baby Give' later this month to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust – a charity that provided them with free accommodation when their daughter fought for her life after being born seriously ill.

The couple found themselves in every parent's worst nightmare last year when baby Skye was immediately placed on the resuscitation table as soon as she was born. Skye, now 18 months old, had a life-threatening condition where her blood was being forced away from the lungs due to high blood pressure. The condition known as Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) decreases the body's supply of oxygen meaning Skye required specialist treatment to help her breathe.

While Skye was treated at The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, Bec and Scott were able to stay right by her side at The Sick Children's Trust's Chestnut House, located within the hospital. The couple were provided with free accommodation which included a private en-suite bedroom, and access to a communal kitchen and living room alongside laundry facilities. Mum Bec says:

“We felt we were walking through a terrible dream. I went from feeling numb and in shock to feeling very scared. We were preparing ourselves for awful news. But we were determined not to lose hope for Skye.

“Through the haze, we were thrown a lifeline and were given accommodation at The Sick Children's Trust's Chestnut House. Staying at Chestnut House meant we were just minutes from Skye's side at any time of day. I cannot express how important this was. Skye was critically sick and things were changing minute by minute, and we didn't want to leave her. We spent all our time with her – holding her hand, singing, sitting quietly and reading the messages of support that came flooding in.”

Since leaving The Rosie, Skye has gone from strength to strength and the family now want to give back to the charity which they valued so much. 'Give Baby Give' is being held at The Centre at St Paul's on Sunday 15th November from 3pm until late. Tickets are just £10 for an evening of family fuelled fun, including music, dancing, a lindy hop class and social. Bec continues:

“Chestnut House meant our family could be together when it mattered the most. So now, all we want to do is help other families who may be going through something similar to have the same opportunity we had to stay close to their sick child.”

The Sick Children's Trust's Chestnut House opened at The Rosie Hospital in 2012, and in the last year it has helped 200 families stay close to their sick child. It costs on average £28 a night to provide a family with a room in the 'Home from Home'.

Tickets are still available for Give Baby Give! For details and booking visit www.givebabygive.co.uk

For further information on The Sick Children's Trust, please visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org