In support of the Charlie House Big Build Project

Cian was born 6 weeks premature on the 18^th May with kidney failure and after an extremely tough fight he passed away at nearly 7 months old on the 11^th December.

After receiving Cian’s prognosis in Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children, we had to make the difficult decision of where he would spend the remainder of his life. Lucky to have family in Aberdeen it was important to be in Aberdeen where family and friends would have a better chance of being able to meet him.

Feeling confident in the administration of his medicine our ultimate goal was to get home, and with a short stay in Aberdeen’s Children’s Hospital we got Cian home to be as a family. This was supported by both Charlie House and CHAS providing community nurses.

This scenario is not always possible due to the complexities of the child’s needs. The most northern children’s hospice is 80 miles away in Kinross, which for us, would have denied people the opportunity to meet Cian. A decision I don’t think you should have to make when you are already going through the unimaginable. It is for this reason supporting Charlie House is so important to bring a purpose-built facility to Aberdeen to support families in the region and hopefully prevent families having to make this difficult decision.

The Run Balmoral Team 2022

Alex Munro, Andy Allen, Angela Joss, Anna Starikova, Chris Drewitt, Danielle Dyce, David Christie, Dawn Rowan, Deanna Carter, Donald Kellock, Ellie Horne, Emma Haggart, Gary Law, Gemma Cowie, Gemma Neal, Geoff Morrison, Jodie Gillies, Julie Copland, Karen Robertson, Karen Tillotson, Katherine Thompson, Kathryn Muir, Lee Clark, Lewis Mcculloch, Liam Pirie, Lisa Mackie, Malcolm Cameron, Matt Rothnie, Matthew Park, Melvin Banford, Mike Read, Nick Low, Nikkii Ng, Paul Leahy, Paula Park, Phil Davies, Phil Wilkie, Rachael Yule, Rachel Strachan, Richard Davidson, Rob Sim, Sheryl-Ann Markey, Stuart Cooper, Will Plumley

About Charlie House

Charlie House is a local charity which supports babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families, in the North-east of Scotland.In this region alone there are more than 1,600 children who fit these criteria. Established in 2011, Charlie House is committed to directly supporting these children and their families. This is done through free services including: accessible and inclusive activities which are suitable for the whole family, annual activity short break, and the provision of practical and emotional support at home and in the community. The Charlie House Childrens Community Nurse is based at the Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital and provides support for families, helps them transition from a long hospital stay, and supports the child and their family on their life journey.To find out more, and information on how you can support Charlie House, please visit https://www.charliehouse.org.uk/