Home from home was a blessing say parents

Anybody who commutes daily on the A14 between Peterborough and Cambridge will know how terrible a trip it is, so having to battle the traffic each day to see their son was a tough proposition for Amy and James Boulton. It would take an hour every day to travel to the Rosie Hospital where son William was fighting for life, but their fears were put at ease when they were told that there was free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by charity The Sick Children’s Trust. The home is at Chestnut House which is located at the hospital. Amy said: “James had to go back to work and without Chestnut House over the next five weeks I would have felt very alone. James would come up as much as possible, but I needed people to talk to regularly. “House staff Abi and Olena were wonderful. They were there to talk to and every day would ask about William’s progress. They’d talk to me and show me the stories on the wall of other families who had passed through the house and it’s amazing how those similarities help. They give you hope. “We were literally just a few steps away so if I wanted to be there or needed to be there I could be. I didn’t have to worry about William becoming ill suddenly and not being able to be with him. Chestnut House made it possible for me to be there and hold his hand throughout it all.” Chestnut House manager Abi Abdel-aal said: “William is a true little fighter and we’re so pleased that he’s back at home getting stronger. For seven weeks we supported James and Amy at Chestnut House, they had their own private bedroom, access to communal areas and were just minutes from William’s bedside.” The Sick Children’s Trust is raising money through a Pyjama Party from Monday, October 17 to Friday, October 21 where children are sponsored to attend nursery or playgroup dressed in their favourite pyjamas and take part in activities. Visit http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/