Romford family backs charity's emergency appeal

The Sick Children’s Trust which supports families with seriously ill children in hospital with a place to stay has launched an emergency appeal to raise vital funds to continue to keep families together.

During these unprecedented and uncertain times, the charity which receives no government funding needs the public’s support now more than ever. It costs £2.2 million to run The Sick Children’s Trust’s ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country and the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to meet this cost. With events being cancelled and the charity’s valued supporters not being able to fundraise in their usual way, The Sick Children’s Trust needs your support now more than ever.

Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive at The Sick Children’s Trust, said:

“It is a worrying and uncertain time for everyone and there are many challenges we are all facing but for families with seriously ill child in hospital there is even more worry and uncertainty.

“Our families tell us that when their child is in hospital there is an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. They can’t do anything to improve their child’s condition but what they can do is be there for them because of our ‘Homes from Home’.

“The reality of the coronavirus for the families we support is that they may not even be able to do that. To be there for their child in their time of need unless people like you donate to keep our houses running.”

Those encouraging others to support The Sick Children's Trust are Adam’s parents, Leanne and Paul Curry from Romford, who were supported by the charity in 2018 when he was born at just 26 weeks and needed specialist treatment at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. For six weeks the couple were given a place to stay at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Stevenson House, just minutes from Adam’s hospital bedside. Mum Leanne said:

“When your baby or child is sick in hospital, all you want is to be there for them. You just want to stay. You don’t want to worry about missing the last train home, but the reality is you can’t stay with them all the time without a place like Stevenson House.

“Of all the things you have to think about, the last thing you want to worry about is the financial side of traveling or a hotel. The Sick Children’s Trust takes all the other worries away so that your focus can be purely on your child.

“You never think that you’re going to need charity. We didn’t think we would and you’ll never know when you will need that help until it happens. No parent thinks their child is going to end up in hospital and can imagine not being there for them which is why I’d encourage everyone to support The Sick Children’s Trust. Especially at a time like now when they need as much help as possible.

“I’m really pleased to say that Adam turned one in December and has come on leaps and bounds. His mobility has been slower given how early he arrived, but nowadays I’m putting him down and he’s off, he’s gone! He moves so fast and is trying to pull himself up and do everything babies like to do. We’re incredibly proud of him."

The Sick Children’s Trust supports around 3,500 families every year by giving families a place to stay. Jane Featherstone added:

“The Sick Children’s Trust can continue to be there for families with sick children in hospital like Adam’s but we can’t do it alone. Without vital donations we cannot do this. With your kind donation, we can be there so that families can be together. We want to give them a safe place to stay close to their child. £30 is what it takes but any amount you can give will greatly help.”

To donate to The Sick Children’s Trust, visit sickchildrenstrust.org/donate