North-east children’s charity, Charlie House, is today launching a vital community-led appeal, urging Aberdeen
residents to help raise £150,000.
This essential funding will be used to build a specialised
children’s bedroom in the charity’s state-of-the-art support centre, which will
be constructed on the grounds of Woodend Hospital. This children’s bedroom will
be named in honour of the North-east community who have contributed to
the appeal.
Initiated in response to the increasing demand for its services,
this campaign is a crucial extension of Charlie House’s Big Build Appeal and
asks community members to give £20 or what they can to help achieve this
important goal.
Every donation will help create a bedroom that is a true home away
from home, equipped with specialised medical equipment such as full-room
hoisting systems and fully adjustable beds with pressure-relieving mattresses.
The facility will feature 16 bedrooms in total with eight family suites and
eight children’s bedrooms, each with an en-suite shower room, designed to offer
a comforting and supportive environment for both children and their families.
Once completed - with construction estimated to start in 2025 -
this new facility will become Scotland’s third care centre of its kind, and the
only one in the North-east. It will eliminate the need for families to
undertake daunting 200-mile round trips to access essential respite and
palliative care for their children. This will ensure that North-east families
can receive the care they need closer to home during what are already
incredibly challenging times.
Helping to raise awareness of the urgent need for this facility is
the Wilson family, one of the 1,800 families in the region in need of respite
care and support.
Emelia and Esme
Parents Jo and Kris Wilson have three daughters, 18-year-old Summer, 10-yar-old Emelia, and four-year-old Esme. Both Emelia and Esme are affected by a rare condition known as Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), which, as explained by the NHS, ‘prevents the body from processing certain amino acids, leading to a harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine’.
Following many hospital visits and tests, Emelia was diagnosed with GA1 after contracting a severe form of Norovirus, which left her with brain damage. Emelia went from thriving and reaching her normal milestones to stalling.
Jo and Kris were told that their little girl might never walk or talk, leaving them faced with uncertainty about the future of her care. Unfortunately, the Wilson's youngest daughter, Esme was also diagnosed with the GA1 condition. While it was caught early and is managed with the help of medication, Esme is incredibly vulnerable to bugs and infections, restricting her daily life.
Jo Wilson commented: “We discovered Charlie House two years ago and the charity has honestly changed our lives. It recognises that families like ours need both practical and emotional support, allowing us to focus on making precious memories together.
“Charlie House helps children like our daughters to have fun and to do the things that little children do. At the end of the day, all we want is for our children to be happy and live their lives to the fullest. Your support will help make that possible at the worst of times.”
Charlie House launched its Big Build Appeal in 2018, but has faced several setbacks in reaching its £8m target, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted fundraising efforts.
Jo and Kris Wilson with their three daughters
Leigh Ryrie, children and family support manager, said: “Having a support centre in the North-east is vital. At the moment, families are having to travel to get the essential care they need. This standard journey would take anyone a couple of hours however, for families we support, it can take much longer. For example, a family may need to pull over to administer medication, carry out personal care or deal with a medical emergency such as a seizure.
“By donating to this appeal and helping to fund one of the centre’s bedrooms, you are supporting families like the Wilsons. Knowing there is a local, safe facility with specially trained professionals and the accessibility requirements your child needs will make all the difference.”
Leigh added: “The demand for our services increased by 84% following the pandemic, yet overall fundraising decreased by around 73%. We know circumstances have changed, and due to the cost of living crisis, households don’t have the disposable income they once did. But while the cost of living has risen, so has the need for this centre.
“Quite simply, children and their families do not have the time to wait. We need to act now to move this project forward as quickly as possible, but we need the community’s support to make this a reality.
“We know times are tough, which is why we’re asking the community to give what they can. £20 can make a massive difference, but we understand this may not be feasible for everyone, and we are deeply grateful for donations of any size.
“Please consider donating to this community appeal, £150,000 is the cost of a child’s bedroom, but it’s also the cost of children getting the care they need. That’s the cost of making every moment count.
“To all our past, present, and future supporters, we cannot thank you enough - your generosity truly changes lives.”
Charlie House not only provides essential support to children and their families, but it also serves as an advocate. The charity is a voice for families, working to address the inequalities in healthcare access, and making sure every child lives their life to the full.
To help build and learn more about the North-east Community Children’s Bedroom, visit here: https://www.charliehouse.org.uk/bedroom-appeal