East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)

Leap of Faith Challenge

Jo Rawlings

Jo Rawlings

My Story

I am taking part in the Leap of Faith Challenge at Clip n' Climb Ipswich in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices. EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and support their families.

When I was little I wasn't allowed to climb trees..........now I'm all grown up I've decided to climb high for charity and make the leap of faith!

I'm probably like many others, I knew of EACH and The Treehouse hospice. But never in a million years did we expect that we would ever find ourselves in the position we did 7 years ago! 

It was at Norfolk and Norwich hospital, we first met Andy, who was from the EACH Quidenham hospice. He came in to support and do some memory making, and he had this amazing calming influence and was so supportive. When it came to James's life support being switched off, and the organ donation failed (as James continued to breathe independently) I remember cuddling James and saying to Jon what are we going to do? We did not have a clue what was going to happen next?! 

It was the suggested that we could go to The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich. We didn't have a clue what to expect there. James was transported from Norwich to The Treehouse in the early hours of the morning, it was very touch and go if he would make it… and he did. We turned up in the middle of the night, not a clue what to expect and what was going to happen. What greeted us, was the most warmest of welcomes. James had already been settled in his own nursery! There were nursery rhymes playing for him. And for the first time, he looked so cosy and away from all of the machines and wires. We got to hold him whenever we wanted for the first time, and he slept in the Moses basket next to our bed for the first time. The staff kept a check on him every night, popping in with their little head torches, not to wake us. At last, we actually felt like a little family. 

We spent about 6 days at The Treehouse, and all of the staff were amazing. We were so looked after, and our family and friends who came to visit. They made the most amazing memory book for us. They gave us the chance to spend time as a family, which we never ever thought we would get! We didn't know how long we had together, so EACH made sure every moment we had together was special. From helping us bath James for the first time, to a film night in their sensory room, and arranging a picnic for us outside in their grounds. The photos and memories we have there are something we will treasure forever. 

They even arranged for us to go home, they showed us how to do his medication and feeding tube, and we spent the final week together at home with our dogs and family. But, they were still there for us on the end of the phone for support and popped in a few times to continue supporting us. When James passed away, we took him to The Treehouse that night. I didn't like the idea of him being on his own, as he had never been alone. So, they arranged for James to be kept in his nursery, which was temperature controlled until his funeral, which they helped us arrange. 

They were a lifeline for us, and have been there supporting us ever since. We owe them so much, I don't think we will ever be able to repay them for what they have done. If you ever get the chance to look round The Treehouse and their grounds, then please do it. You will be so surprised, it's the most happy and warmest of places. It's not depressing like some people might think, but the complete opposite! I can guarantee you, that you will leave with a lovely warm feeling.......it's like receiving the best hug ever!”

155%

Funded

  • Target
    £200
  • Raised so far
    £310
  • Number of donors
    19

My Story

I am taking part in the Leap of Faith Challenge at Clip n' Climb Ipswich in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices. EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and support their families.

When I was little I wasn't allowed to climb trees..........now I'm all grown up I've decided to climb high for charity and make the leap of faith!

I'm probably like many others, I knew of EACH and The Treehouse hospice. But never in a million years did we expect that we would ever find ourselves in the position we did 7 years ago! 

It was at Norfolk and Norwich hospital, we first met Andy, who was from the EACH Quidenham hospice. He came in to support and do some memory making, and he had this amazing calming influence and was so supportive. When it came to James's life support being switched off, and the organ donation failed (as James continued to breathe independently) I remember cuddling James and saying to Jon what are we going to do? We did not have a clue what was going to happen next?! 

It was the suggested that we could go to The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich. We didn't have a clue what to expect there. James was transported from Norwich to The Treehouse in the early hours of the morning, it was very touch and go if he would make it… and he did. We turned up in the middle of the night, not a clue what to expect and what was going to happen. What greeted us, was the most warmest of welcomes. James had already been settled in his own nursery! There were nursery rhymes playing for him. And for the first time, he looked so cosy and away from all of the machines and wires. We got to hold him whenever we wanted for the first time, and he slept in the Moses basket next to our bed for the first time. The staff kept a check on him every night, popping in with their little head torches, not to wake us. At last, we actually felt like a little family. 

We spent about 6 days at The Treehouse, and all of the staff were amazing. We were so looked after, and our family and friends who came to visit. They made the most amazing memory book for us. They gave us the chance to spend time as a family, which we never ever thought we would get! We didn't know how long we had together, so EACH made sure every moment we had together was special. From helping us bath James for the first time, to a film night in their sensory room, and arranging a picnic for us outside in their grounds. The photos and memories we have there are something we will treasure forever. 

They even arranged for us to go home, they showed us how to do his medication and feeding tube, and we spent the final week together at home with our dogs and family. But, they were still there for us on the end of the phone for support and popped in a few times to continue supporting us. When James passed away, we took him to The Treehouse that night. I didn't like the idea of him being on his own, as he had never been alone. So, they arranged for James to be kept in his nursery, which was temperature controlled until his funeral, which they helped us arrange. 

They were a lifeline for us, and have been there supporting us ever since. We owe them so much, I don't think we will ever be able to repay them for what they have done. If you ever get the chance to look round The Treehouse and their grounds, then please do it. You will be so surprised, it's the most happy and warmest of places. It's not depressing like some people might think, but the complete opposite! I can guarantee you, that you will leave with a lovely warm feeling.......it's like receiving the best hug ever!”