Family of Peterborough teen who underwent lifesaving brain surgery appeal for donations to charity

The charity receives no government funding and said it needs the public’s support now more than ever. It costs £2.2 million to run The Sick Children’s Trust’s 10 ‘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 said it needs support more than ever.

The Bullimore family, from Peterborough, know all too well just how vital The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Homes from Home’ are as in 2018 they were given a place to stay when their son, Harry, was critically ill.

Harry, now 15, had been ill with a virus and collapsed at home. The collapse was in fact a seizure as he had two large abscesses in his brain and an infection near the brain stem.

He was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he underwent an operation to remove the infected bone and replace it with a titanium plate. During this time, his parents Emma and Peter, and Harry’s brother Jack, were given a place to stay at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Acorn House.

Emma said: “The surgery was very risky as Harry’s brain had been completely pushed to the right-hand side. We were told if he survived surgery that he may not walk, talk or be able to feed himself again. He could be blind or deaf or paralysed on his right side. It was a lot of news to take in and we needed a place to stay to take everything in and The Sick Children’s Trust gave us that with Acorn House.

“Things are tough in the country at the moment. Now more than ever ‘Homes from Home’ like Acorn House are so important. The Sick Children’s Trust enables families to stay together while they are going through such an awful time with a child who’s poorly in hospital. It cuts down on travelling from place to place and means that families aren’t separated at a time when they need to be together. Like mine.

“As a result of the infection, Harry has also been left with a pronounced right sided weakness in his leg and ankle, so he walks with a limp. His autism has sadly regressed and he now functions at age six in most aspects of his daily life. Despite this, Harry is now doing well and is a happy, cheeky boy and doesn’t let anything stop him despite continuing to have seizures which can lead to a hospital admission.”

The Sick Children’s Trust supports around 3,500 families every year by giving families a place to stay. It cost the charity £30 to support a family for one night. Jane Featherstone, the charity’s chief executive, said: “It is a worrying and uncertain time for everyone and there are many challenges we are all facing, but for families with a seriously ill child in hospital there is even more worry and uncertainty.

“The Sick Children’s Trust can continue to be there for families with sick children in hospital like Harry’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 https://www.committedgiving.uk.net/sickchildrenstrust/.