An Isle of Wight family, who stayed at a charity ‘Home from Home’ for free whilst their son was undergoing gruelling cancer treatment, are backing an appeal to transform a former bed and breakfast in Southampton into a new haven for families of children and young people with cancer, to stay for free to be near their child.
18-year-old Ryan Kimber was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumour, in January 2016 after experiencing pain in his neck and back which doctors initially put down to a trapped nerve.
During this difficult time, his family stayed in CLIC Sargent’s ‘Home from Home’ called CLIC Haven – near to Southampton Hospital – where families can stay for free to be near their child, providing a vital lifeline for families.
Ryan’s father, Mike Kimber, has said that CLIC Haven was crucial for his family when they realised they were facing many months of treatment.
“Although still in shock and fearing the worst for Ryan, the fact we had somewhere to stay was an enormous relief to us and we used the privacy of our room to start calling family and friends to inform them of Ryan’s situation.
“Without CLIC Sargent and the CLIC Haven house I don’t know how we would have coped, it would have made a horrendous situation even worse. A hotel would have been unaffordable all year, especially considering I’ve had a considerable amount of time off work to spend time with Ryan. I cannot praise CLIC Sargent and their staff enough.
“It’s been ‘home’ to many members of Ryan’s family and friends whilst visiting him and all through Ryan’s radiotherapy it was ‘home’ to him too. He stayed in the house during the week, he was far too ill to travel back to the island on a daily basis. CLIC Haven was essential for Ryan’s moral and keeping his spirits up.
“It was also good to speak to other families in CLIC Haven who were going through similar problems. It certainly helped to talk about things and learn from the positivity of others.”
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CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, has launched a fundraising appeal to transform a former Southampton bed and breakfast into a new haven for young cancer patients and their families.
The charity is planning to open a new ‘Home from Home’ in Southampton, called Jean’s House, this autumn. Jean’s House will provide vital free accommodation for young patients and their families during cancer treatment at nearby specialist Southampton Hospital.
Jean’s House will have 7 en-suite family bedrooms (sleeping up to 4 people), 2 open plan kitchen/diners, 2 lounges and a teenagers’ space, helping families spend more time together and avoid often debilitating travel and accommodation costs.
The new home will replace the charity’s existing Home from Home at CLIC Haven which opened in the grounds of Southampton Hospital in 1991 and has supported thousands of families. More than 300 families have stayed at the house over the last 2 years, many for several months. In 2016/17 there were 77 family stays for an average length of 16 days.
Planning permission for the transformation was granted by Southampton City Council in October and the charity has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the £1.6million cost for buying and fully adapting the building.
Over £1.2million pounds has already been raised thanks to generous support from donors including: Children with Cancer UK, Signet and Sir Jules Thorne Charitable Trust and now CLIC Sargent are seeking to raise the remaining £400,000 to fully renovate and furnish the house.
Ryan, who is now in remission, is keen to give something back by lending his support to the campaign to help other families.
“Having the house meant my family and friends could stay close. Even though I was far away from home, I didn’t feel isolated because of CLIC Haven.
“I hope everyone backs this campaign to support other families in a new home, it means so much to have your family close and staying for free means you don’t worry so much about their financial stress.”
CLIC Sargent’s UK Home from Home Manager, Cecilia Milburn, said:
“With the public’s support, we will transform the property into a welcoming haven for families going through a really tough time. Jean’s House has been specially-designed to be bigger and better than before, offering more space and comfort for families. We are asking for the public’s help to house even more families in desperate need, saving them hundreds of pounds and bringing crucial home comforts in a time of great turmoil”
To donate to CLIC Sargent’s appeal text “HOME” to 70020 to donate £3. For more information, go to www.clicsargent.org.uk/movinghomesouthampton.
