Words by Smiley Team
For three-year-old Bobby, it was the chance to dig in the sand on the pirate playground that made his holiday.
Bobby has a terminal heart condition, and had spent most of the previous year either in hospital or inside at home, to prevent him catching any infections or illnesses which could have proven fatal.
But thanks to the holiday lodge provided to him and his family by children’s hospice Derian House, Bobby and his family got to have time away together where he could enjoy the playground and sandpit like any other little boy.
Bobby’s mum Emma Doherty said: “We don’t know how long we’ve got with Bobby and something like this was a massive deal for us. It was a chance to have a good time and just forget about reality for a little while.
“The lodge itself is amazing. It’s fully adapted and has everything you need and more. There are no words for what this has meant to us. It was just wonderful.”
Derian House are based in Chorley, Lancs, and provide support and care for families with children and young people who have life-limiting conditions across the North West.
The charity own two specially adapted lodges at Ribby Hall holiday park in Lancashire, which give more than 90 families a year the chance of a much-needed break.
For 16-month-old Thomas and his family, going on holiday to one of the lodges meant he had his first go on a swing.
Thomas has a rare kidney condition and also a significant brain injury, and for his mum Jamieleigh Robinson the holiday was really important for the whole family.
She said: “It gave us time away from the constant appointments, time to just be a family and forget about everything.”
The lodges were the brainchild of Derian House chief executive David Robinson. He explained: “Many of our families simply couldn’t have a holiday before now because there was nowhere that catered for their needs. When they arrive they’re overwhelmed. We see tears and laughter and it’s actually overwhelming for us all too.
“We don’t know of any other hospices in the UK that can offer this service, and it’s only down to the generous donations of our supporters that we can do so.”
Each holiday provided by the charity is free for the family, but costs £1,000. It further costs £4m a year to keep the hospice going, and more than 90% of that comes from fundraising. If you can help with a financial donation or fundraising event see derianhouse.co.uk.
By Jenna Sloan
