I will never forget that the charity held out a hand for me and helped me back onto my feet when I needed it the most.

It’s taken my family, Charlie George and me quite some time to recover and move past what happened to him. It’s taught me to not take anything for granted, because without warning your whole life can be turned upside down.

Charlie George was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) at ten weeks old, and he stayed on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) there for just under a month. It was during this time that we stayed at Guilford Street House, one of The Sick Children’s Trust’s ten ‘Homes from Home’. I’d never heard of the charity before, but I was greeted by the Assistant House Manager Tina, who gave me one of the warmest, kindest smiles I saw while going through one of the hardest times a parent can go through. I don’t know how I could’ve coped and found the strength to carry on during those turbulent weeks without the support of Tina and The Sick Children’s Trust.

It all started when Charlie seemed to have a really bad cold. He was coughing a lot, had a runny nose and was being sick. He also seemed to be struggling with his breathing. I could tell how hard he was working for every single breath and as I felt for his heart rate, it was beating so fast. I’d already taken him to my GP, who thought it was a viral infection, but one day it got so bad that my husband, George, and I knew we had to get it checked out straight away. We called NHS direct, who sent an ambulance and told me to pack a bag because Charlie needed to get to hospital right away. I’d been so worried that my bag was actually already packed by the door so we were ready to go. Thankfully my mum was able to look after Charlie’s siblings Ellie Rebecca and Billy Charles, who were only nine and three at the time.

Even though we lived close, the ambulance ride to West Middlesex Hospital felt like we lived hundreds and hundreds of miles away. It was awful. I could tell that Charlie was getting worse and fighting harder for every breath the longer it took. Once we arrived, he was taken to A&E, and Charlie was treated for bronchitis and put on a CPAP machine to help him breathe more easily. But as I looked on at my little boy, it was heart wrenching seeing him lying there, with dry blue lips and a face so pale.

After a few hours on CPAP, Charlie’s condition didn’t change. He was still breathing too rapidly. I felt so anxious, not knowing what could be done to help my baby. It was decided that Charlie needed to be transferred to an intensive care unit at another hospital for more specialist treatment. My heart dropped and I felt shattered as I was told that Charlie could be sent practically anywhere in the country. Although I would’ve travelled anywhere for my baby to get the care he needed, I couldn’t help wondering where we would stay, so that we could remain close to him. I couldn’t bear thinking about the possibility of being separated from Ellie Rebecca and Billy Charles, especially as I had no idea how long we’d be gone for.

Soon, we were being taken to GOSH, where they had a bed for Charlie on NICU. The staff immediately made me feel at ease. Charlie would receive one-on-one care, 24 hours a day. He was put on a life support machine, which was terrifying and I felt helpless, but I knew he was in the best possible hands now. My husband and I just sat with him hoping and praying until George had to go home to look after our other two children. I wanted to sit with Charlie all night, but the staff told me I needed sleep so that I could be strong for my son.

On the first night, I was given accommodation within the hospital, but I knew I couldn’t stay there for long as it made me feel unsettled and anxious. I was also missing George terribly and hated being away from Ellie and Billy and being on my own with just my thoughts, but I didn’t have any other choice. I needed to be by Charlie’s side.

It was then that I was told about Guilford Street House and The Sick Children’s Trust. They had a room for me, just minutes from my baby’s bedside. Tina came to collect me from the hospital to walk me over to the house and I asked her if my husband could stay. When she said that he could, and that Ellie Rebecca and Billy Charles could too, relief washed over me and I gave Tina a huge hug. Just her warm, smiling face lifted the strain I’d been feeling. I could keep my family together.

When Tina gave me a tour of Guilford Street House, I was amazed. My room was bright, airy and clean, with comfortable beds, soft carpets and a set of towels. It was like a ‘Home from Home’ and so comforting. I couldn’t believe that these rooms were provided to families in situations like mine for free. I felt so lucky that this accommodation had been offered to me while I was in such an awful situation.

Before this had happened, I hadn’t even known that The Sick Children’s Trust existed. But while I was there, I was offered so much more than a bed. I was safe, comfortable and had someone to talk to. The little things made such a difference, like being able to come and go from the house as I pleased to visit Charlie, and even just being able to have a shower and wash my hair. The house gave me what I needed to be strong for Charlie.

The next day, George came to join me at Guilford Street House while my mum looked after my other children and we headed over to the ward to see Charlie. They thought he had pneumococcal, which are bugs in the bloodstream, as well as several viral infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Happily, Charlie responded really well to the treatment from the amazing doctors and nurses at GOSH. After eight days away from home, he was discharged. It was the end of November and Christmas decorations were just going up around the hospital and local area. I felt so happy and like one of the lucky ones that I was able to take my baby boy home in time for Christmas and felt so sad for the families that couldn't.

Since being back at home, Charlie has had bronchitis again and croup. However despite this, he has grown into a very happy little boy who celebrated his first birthday in September, something I thought might never happen. Although we still regularly have hospital appointments for all our children, I cherish the time I have with them. Knowing what Charlie’s been through just makes my time with him even more precious and I am so proud of how brave and strong he’s been.

I’m not sure people understand how much it means to families to be offered a room in a ‘Home from Home’ when their children are so ill, and how much charities like this help those families. The support is so vital and has such a great impact on your emotional wellbeing and your child’s recovery. Because of this, I plan on raising lots of awareness for The Sick Children’s Trust. I want to get Charlie’s story heard so more people know about the amazing work the charity does every day. If it wasn’t for Tina and the support she offered me on the second day that Charlie was at GOSH, I may not have been able to find the strength to carry on as I did. I will never forget the hand the charity held out for me. When I was on the floor, they were there to help me back up onto my feet. I want to thank The Sick Children’s Trust from the bottom of my heart.

Stacey Loveridge, Charlie George’s Mum