With Your Help...

Hello, my name is Sheryl and I want to tell you about the wonderful care your local children’s hospice has given to my family, and to ask if you will help to support more families like ours.

Our little boy Jeffrey has a rare and incurable genetic condition, known as Battens Disease, which causes seizures and progressively takes away a child’s ability to walk, talk, and see.

Jeffrey is eight years old now and is the sweetest boy – his bright brown eyes and cheeky smile could light up any room.

Although he can no longer see, and can’t speak vocally, he communicates in his own way. He responds to voices, to music, and to smiles. He’ll give you the biggest grin and make the sweetest noises.

Jeffrey has regular treatments to help slow down the progression of his condition, but it is not a cure.

Derian House Children’s Hospice helps us to make precious memories as a family.

Jeffrey loves to float in the hydrotherapy pool with help from daddy. He loves cuddles in the sensory room. He loves to relax in the cinema while watching his favourite films. Jeffrey loves to visit Derian for respite stays too – giving us time to recharge knowing he is getting the best care.

Holidays are so important to our family – they are the best time to make memories and we have made so many with Jeffrey already. Before he lost his sight we were lucky to take a trip to Lapland so that our boy could see Father Christmas one last time.

When Derian House offered Jeffrey and me the chance to have a little break at their holiday lodge in the Lake District, we jumped at it.

The holiday lodges are fitted with aids and are all on one level so I knew that I wouldn’t need any help with Jeffrey.

We had an absolutely amazing week away and we made some lovely memories. We enjoyed a visit to the mini beach, we fed the ducks, and we ate lunch with views of the lake.

We found a lovely place to eat – Jeffrey is still able to eat orally, and he loves to eat anything and everything. Some locals settled our bill because they thought we deserved a treat! It was such a kind gesture.

We had special visits from family, including Jeffrey’s dad Andy. Even with Jeffrey struggling with seizures, the downtime was so needed.

We are so grateful that we have access to an adapted lodge in such a beautiful location which is only possible because of your generous donations to Derian House.

We may not have forever with Jeffrey, but we will always have beautiful memories like these.
The care Derian House has given us is out of this world – we can’t thank them enough for helping us to make the most of our time with our little love.

Although care is free for families like ours, it costs Derian House £6 million a year to care for more than 400 children and their families. With only a small percentage of funding coming from the NHS, the hospice relies heavily on the generosity of supporters like you.

That’s why I am asking you to please help Derian House to send more families like mine on holiday to make the very most of the time they have.