Edit: The Butterfly Bimble, originally on 21st March 2020 has been postponed, it was not directly caused by Covid-19 but will be rescheduled for when this pandemic is over and it is safe to do so.

I have worked as a nurse for Helen and Douglas House for over 2 years. 

I initially worked in Douglas House, which was devastatingly closed due to lack of funds in June 2018. I had first hand experience of working with adults who have astoundingly continued to live on into adulthood, despite it being incredibly unlikely given their diagnoses. These individuals had endured a huge amount to get to where they were and each and every one of them taught me how to be strong in the face of adversity, and how seemingly small details can make a huge difference to everyday quality of life, and how important is it to ensure these details are achieved - but mostly that if you determine Quality of life in laughter and in love, they have it in adundance! 

For 18 months I have now worked at Helen House; I have had the pleasure of caring for many children with life-shortening and incurable conditions who have come for day care, and for a couple of days respite for them and their family (so parents can just be parents, and not also carers and medical professionals), we have had fun in the jacuzzi, and sensory room, and on the swing and roundabout and with lots of glitter! I have also had the ultimate priveledge of caring for babies, toddlers and teenagers and everything inbetween in the last few weeks, days, and hours of their life. I have consoled parents, grandparents and siblings just after their loved one has died, and I have marvelled at the strength people have to keep on going, even when it seems impossible, and I have been to many funerals of children way way too young. 

Helen House is a place nobody ever expects to need, and who nobody ever wants to need. It means a child is going to die young, and is not expected to reach adulthood, and if that is your child that must be unbearable.  However, Helen House is a very happy place, it is a place where parents can get rest, siblings can play and make memories with their brother/sister, there is always music, laughter and smiles and 1:1 care that simply cannot be delivered in big hospitals. Helen House is a lifeline to so many people in the most difficult time of their life - and we raise money because the more money Helen House has, the more families and children we can support. 

Please donate anything you can.