Hugs Children's Cancer Charity
Respite Home
When Henry Hallam was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the tender age of 3, the Hallam family were thrown into the frightening world of childhood cancer. As the principal hospital for treatment was two hours away from their home town of Plymouth they had no other option but to stay in Bristol for 18 months.
Henry was diagnosed with neuroblastoma which is a cancer of the nervous system in children. It is aggressive and difficult to treat and the prognosis for Henry was poor. The family sort options for treatment for Henry including treatments and new trials abroad in America and Europe. To access these the family needed to raise upwards of £500,000. Hugs for Henry was created and fundraising commenced however the amount raised was not enough for Henry to go abroad.
The Hallam family decided that they wanted to make a difference to fellow oncology families with the money raised for Henry and donated it to Hugs Children's Cancer Charity, a registered charity, which they created to support others.
In December 2018 Henry Hallam rang the end of treatment bell signalling five years post the end of treatment. The Hallam family alongside the board of trustees for the charity wanted to make a difference to the oncology families locally and to families with neuroblastoma by creating a unique and invaluable place for families to run too. The first Hugs Children's Cancer Charity Respite home was bought with this in mind.
The respite home is based in South Cornwall, the home provides private accommodation for families to spend time together away from hospital setting and to make new and important memories. With views over the rolling countryside and the sea, the home is peaceful and comfortable for families to take a break and a chance to forget childhood cancer even if for a short while.
We help families,
through a difficult time
Henry's mum, Elsbeth, states: 'Hugs from Henry was born out of the pain we felt and the most urgent need to help others in these circumstances.'
