“One wet, cold afternoon I returned to Crawford House upset after a small setback with my daughter Emily and was greeted by one of the staff. She took me into the office and didn’t just offer me tea but a shoulder to cry on (literally). She held me so tight and gave me the warmth I so needed. The house staff took time to get to know me and went above and beyond their job description, offering practical and emotional help and support when I needed it most. Later that day I found a bar of chocolate left in my room by them to cheer me up; that one small gesture will never be forgotten, it meant so much to me.”

"When my baby sister was in a car accident she had to stay in hospital for a long time. It was hard for me and my other sister Ella because our Mum and Dad had to stay with Maisie and we really missed them. So it was really good that Mum and Dad stayed at Acorn House because we could go and stay with them at weekends and sometimes during the week. We cooked pizzas with Mum, Dad and Nanny and on Sundays we all sat down at the table to do our homework. The best thing about Acorn House was all the toys and we loved playing in the garden - when Maisie got better she came to play too."

“When my grandson George is receiving treatment for his Severe Combined Immune Deficiency we are so lucky to have the support of Crawford House. We stay there as a family; it becomes our home for weeks at a time. It is far, far, more than just a place to stay - the staff are wonderful; they have become our friends and the support they offer when we stay is invaluable. When we are miles from home without the support system of extended family and friends House Manager Gail and her team step in, they always go the extra mile to help. Without Crawford House our family would be separated for long periods.”

“Dealing with a sick baby was terrible enough but we also had Rafferty's older brother, two year old Nathaniel at home, who was very confused as to why his brother was no longer at home and why he was spending so much time with his grandparents. Having a room at Stevenson House meant that Nathaniel could stay with us all week and we could each alternate our time between both boys. Rafferty's condition did slowly decline, but he was no longer required to stay in Critical Care and was transferred to a room on the children's ward. During this time we spent all our days together as a family from morning until late at night, knowing that we were in no rush or panic to travel all the way home.”

“Being given a room at Eckersley House made such a difference to us. It was such a relief to be able to stay minutes away from our daughter’s bedside; able to concentrate on her, knowing that we had all our practical needs met. Eckersley House had wheelchair access to the rooms, there was a bathroom John could use and even the kitchen had been adapted. Disabled people are still often not considered when facilities and services for parents are planned, so it was reassuring to find that our needs had been catered for. John was able to be a father and be there for his daughter, as he wished, and he was also able to support me.“