So at 2pm, I legged it into Acorn House, which is the Cambridge ‘branch’ of the Sick Children’s Trust. I was running late, on a tight schedule and rushed. I’d wanted to postpone, as I’ve got so much going on at the moment. But I’m glad I didn’t. In fact, more than that, it made me want to say Thank you to him upstairs for people who help others when they really need it. And I want to be one of those people..
This doesn’t look like much from the outside does it?
But inside, it’s an oasis of peace, calm and an opportunity to escape for families who really need it.
The Sick Children’s Trust in Cambridge is based in the grounds of Addenbrookes. It’s run by Joy, who is the nicest person you could wish to meet. And given half a chance, I think she could talk as much as I do, which is always good to find….
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Stats: 16 bedrooms, with a 98% occupancy rate every month, helping 640 families every year, to stay together, when they need it most.
Their strapline is “we’re here so you can be there” and that’s something that I know personally, has a really big impact. When W was just 13 weeks old, he became ill, very suddenly, and we were taken by ambulance from a local hospital in Cromer to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Whilst they tried to work out what was wrong, Lovely Bloke and I stayed with him. E was collected by Nana and Grandad and it was the longest 3 nights of my life. It was even more difficult for Lovely Bloke, bless him, as he slept in the car – we both wanted him to be close by and there if W or I needed him. I get teary just thinking about it.
The facilities are amazing – two beds, a pull out bed underneath, travel cots if needed, washing facilities in the room, lots of showers, baths, washing machines, everything you can think of is there. The kitchen area is brilliant, and there’s a beautiful lounge, with a HUGE tv, dvds and also, a quiet room, where families can have a bit of time out when it’s needed. It’s also used by staff to have conversations with families when they want to be able to give people their full attention as someone who’s had those “chats”, that’s something special in itself.
Thankfully, W is now fighting fit and creating havoc in the house as I type. But it’s not the same for everyone, and Acorn House could really do with some help. And for once, it’s not about the money.
– they could do with a business donating 200 towels to them, so they could give them to families
– they need £750 worth of washing up liquid, toilet rolls and washing powder
– they need samples of smellies – shampoo, conditionner, shower gel, flannels, toothpaste
These things aren’t luxuries or treats – they are for the people who arrive in the middle of the night, unnanounced, wearing the clothes they came in. Joy told me about a new mum who arrived with her 48 hour old baby at 3am this morning, and didn’t even have a change of clothes with her. That’s hard isn’t it – can you remember being a new mum? I can, leaking everywhere, feeling like I’d been hit by a truck and not knowing what day it was? Imagine having your baby in intensive care on top of that – can you? I don’t want to, because it upsets me.
I’m going to be approaching some of the local names I know, to ask them to help me give towels and samples of smellies to make life a bit easier for the people who need it most. Do you know of a brand, local business or people who could help with this? I’m happy to proclaim their name far and wide if you can help me get this off the ground. Because it’s something that I know would have a huge impact for very little cost and time on my part.
I’m looking forward to you opening your address books when I email, tweet or call you shortly… 🙂
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