When Dom Smith and his partner Tess welcomed their son Flynn into the world in late January 2025, they would never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. Born with a severe bowel defect at the Jessop Wing in Sheffield, Flynn needed urgent, life-saving surgery at just a few hours old. He was immediately taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, spending more than a week in the neonatal surgical unit recovering from complex treatment.
During those difficult early days Dom and Tess were supported by our Magnolia House ‘Home from Home’, located just minutes from the ward where Flynn was receiving care. It meant they could stay close to their newborn son without worrying about the financial and emotional strain of travelling back and forth from their own home in the south of Sheffield.
“Magnolia House became our base and sanctuary,” said Dom. “It meant we could be right by his side through it all. We’ll never forget that.”
Eleven months later, life looks very different for the family of three. As Christmas approaches, they’ve been reflecting on how everything that has happened and just how far they have come.
‘We’ve settled into a routine as a family’
“Things have been going well,” said Dom. “We’ve settled into a routine as a family, and we can see Flynn making progress each day. It’s been encouraging, and we’re very grateful for all the support we’ve received along the way.”
Flynn, now nearly one, has continued to amaze everyone around him with his resilience, but his journey isn’t over yet.
“Flynn is doing well and is preparing for his second operation, which should be in January,” Dom explained. “We’ve been told it will be a 5-6 hour surgery, with a further five days recovering in hospital. We feel optimistic about the next step, and it’s encouraging to see the progress he’s made so far. We’re hopeful for the future and taking it one day at a time.”
A year of milestones and challenges
As the year draws to a close, the family have found themselves reflecting on an extraordinary twelve months.
“Looking back, it’s been quite a year,” continued Dom. “There have been some challenging moments, but also a lot of progress and milestones with Flynn. Seeing how he’s developing has been encouraging, and it’s brought us closer together as a family.”
That sense of gratitude inspired Dom to take on a major fundraising challenge of his own. In June, he ran 100 miles in June as part of The Sick Children’s Trust’s Home to Home Challenge, which encouraged people to fundraise through sponsored walks, runs, swims or cycles. He raised £2,265 against a target of £2,000, enough to fund a 56-night stay for a family in our ‘Homes from Home’.
“The Sick Children’s Trust gave us so much,” said Dom. “Their support made such a difference during Flynn’s stay, and I want to help ensure other families get the same. Sharing our story and fundraising felt like a small way to give something back.”
A first Christmas as a family of three
Now, with Flynn’s first Christmas approaching, Dom and Tess are preparing for a festive season they once feared might feel very different.
“We’re really looking forward to our first Christmas with Flynn,” Dom smiles. “We’re keeping things simple, focusing on spending quality time together and enjoying the festive season as a family. Just having him with us for the celebrations feels really special.”
And after everything they’ve been through, it’s the small moments that mean the most.
“After a busy year, it will be good to pause and see how much progress Flynn has made. Celebrating his first birthday in January will make the start of the New Year feel even more meaningful.”
‘Every donation gives hope, love and a safe place to be together’
With all 147 rooms across our ten of the charity’s ‘Homes from Home’ expected to be full over the Christmas period, Dom hopes others will support the charity that helped keep his own family close.
“The support we received from Homes from Home has been truly life-changing,” he says. “It gave us peace of mind, comfort, and the chance to focus entirely on Flynn without worrying about practicalities. Every donation helps ensure that families like ours can stay close to their children during critical times. By supporting the Christmas appeal, people are giving hope, love and a safe place to be together.”
This Christmas, your support can help make sure families like Dom and Tess’s never have to face their child’s hospital journey alone. Please donate to our Christmas Appeal today to keep families together this festive period and beyond by clicking here.
