Family ‘so grateful’ for the great lockdown support
In Northfleet near Gravesend, ellenor hospice is facing the same challenges – but the story of the Warwicker-Woodgate family shows it too is battling to maintain its care.
The family have had to separate during lockdown in the quest to keep everyone safe, but ellenor have been on hand to provide reassurance and practical support. Samantha Warwicker’s nine-yearold son, Harry Woodgate, has cerebral palsy with additional, complex health needs, and when he became unwell with non-Covid-related complications just before lockdown, he was sent to the Evelina children’s hospital in London.
Because Sam accompanied him, Harry’s 13-year-old sister Rhianne went to stay with Sam’s sister and her family, but once Harry was home from hospital, lockdown was in full swing, meaning it was a couple of weeks before Rhianne could come home – but ellenor was on hand to offer support and guidance. “Ellenor has been part of our lives since Harry was tiny,” added Samantha. “We’ve had a variety of nurses over the years, and they’ve all been great. Rebecca has worked with us for the past six months and we’ve got a real sense of trust – not just between her and Harry but
Children’s Hospice Week is the only week in the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the 49,000 children across the UK living with life-limiting conditions, and the lifeline services that support them. This year Children’s
Hospice Week takes place
23rd for the year between
June 22 and June
28. between her and me, too.”
Practical support included putting a plan in place to help the family to cope with lockdown, making sure all medicines and prescriptions for Harry were ready, and providing food parcels.
“If I needed anything, I knew I only had to ask, and there were things I didn’t ask for but got anyway, “said Sam. “It’s something we never take for granted and that we’re so grateful for.
“We’ve all benefitted from ellenor’s services over the years and in such a wide variety of ways. We’ve got great memories from the trip we all took as a family to Disneyland Paris, where the fabulous ellenor nurses who accompanied us ensured we didn’t have anything to do except enjoy ourselves.
“Whatever we’ve been through, the charity’s been there for us – just as we know it’ll be there for us whatever the future throws our way.
“That’s why I’ve always been happy to take part in any ellenor-sponsored events, like the Twilight Walk, which Harry and I did together.
“It’s our way of giving back. We never thought we’d have to deal with a pandemic situation on top of everything else that’s come our way – Covid-19 could have proved the last straw in our ability to cope. With ellenor’s help, though, we’re dealing with the situation, each day as it comes, and we never feel we’re alone.”