A WIDNES mum whose son needed life-saving surgery at eight days old is backing a campaign to prevent families from being turned away from a lifeline for sick and dying children.

Simone Blount relies on the ongoing care by the team at Claire House for her six-year-old son Stephen, who has Down’s syndrome.

"I remember smiling from ear to ear as I watched Stephen belt out his favourite Moana song – my beautiful boy couldn’t have been happier," said Simone.

"We were at a music session at Claire House. This was just one of the precious moments I never thought I’d see. 

"As well as Down’s syndrome, Stephen suffers from a host of complex medical conditions, which affect his heart and breathing. 

"We were told there may be something wrong with his heart when I was 37 weeks pregnant, although we tried our best to be optimistic."

Unlike when his three older brothers were born, Stephen was limp and pale, and doctors rushed him away.  

At just eight days old he needed a life-saving heart operation. 

"Our world collapsed as we were told to prepare for the worst and we agonised for the whole 10 hours he was in surgery," she said.

"However, despite complications, our little fighter pulled through."  
Stephen spent most of his first three years in and out of hospital. 

When he was almost five, the family contacted Claire House in Wirral and have never looked back. 
"When you have a child, being a mum is your main priority, but Claire House helps me remember that being a full-time carer isn’t my only identity," she added.

"Watching Stephen reach so many milestones –  doing things we never thought possible – leaves me in tears of happiness."

But Simone, like many other families supported by the hospice, are concerned for its future. 

The number of children needing Claire House has risen so dramatically there is a risk they will have to turn families away. 

David Pastor, chief executive of Claire House, said: "The number of children coming to Claire House has risen by 84 per cent in the last six years. 

"We are getting to the point where we risk having to turn families away. 

"To stop this from happening we are asking the people of Halton to help us reach every dying child."

To raise awareness of the importance of its work, the charity is launching a campaign, sharing the stories of what life is like for families who need help from Claire House. 

The statements will be in Claire House shops, on the radio and on billboards.

Money raised by the appeal will be spent on increasing the care the charity offers and building a new children's hospice in Liverpool. 

Simone added: "It really worries me that, as the hospice is so busy, there is a risk of Stephen’s stays having to be cancelled. 

"I am really hoping the appeal will stop parents like me having to worry.”
To find out more about how to get involved visit clairehouse.org.uk.