Local Mum of boy who was born seriously ill back charity's Big Chocolate Tea campaign

The Mum of a little boy who was born seriously ill with sepsis is supporting The Sick Children’s Trust’s Big Chocolate Tea campaign.

Emily Davis, from Leicester, has taken part in The Sick Children’s Trust’s biggest annual fundraiser by holding a Big Chocolate Tea party to thank the charity for supporting her family when her son, Jude, required lifesaving treatment at a specialist hospital over 90 miles away from their family home.

Jude was born at Leicester General Hospital with sepsis and suffering from serious respiratory distress. After 24 hours and showing no signs of improvement, the decision was made to transfer him to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. During Jude’s ten day treatment, The Sick Children’s Trust gave his parents free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation at Chestnut House, which is located just below NICU, minutes from their son’s hospital bedside. Mum Emily says:

“I wanted to join in with Big Chocolate Tea to show my support to thank the amazing charity that kept my family together. Being able to stay at Chestnut House when Jude was in hospital was absolutely amazing. We had no idea that The Sick Children’s Trust existed to help families like us. When we were desperate they gave us a home as well as emotional support and comfort. I will always be grateful to them.

“Jude is now a lively one year old and he couldn’t get enough of being fussed over by everyone at my Big Chocolate Tea party! It was such a lovely day getting all my family and friends together for a good old catch up. We played the Big Chocolate Tea quiz – which produced some hilarious answers – and ate a very impressive amount of cake between us all. We were able to raise over £140 which I’m delighted about.

“Big Chocolate Tea is a great way to raise money for a charity that keeps families together during the traumatic times, so if you can spare an afternoon to bake with your loved ones or can hold a party at work to raise at least £30 please do get involved!”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, located at leading specialist paediatric hospitals. Every year the charity provides much-needed emotional and practical support to around 4,000 families with seriously ill children in hospital.

Although the accommodation is free of charge to families, the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to run its houses. Big Chocolate Tea is The Sick Children’s Trust’s biggest annual fundraising event and last year, it raised enough money to support 1,167 families with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation. Chestnut House Manager, Abi Abdel-aal, says:

“We want to thank Emily and her family for joining in with our choc-tastic campaign. As they’ve proven, Big Chocolate Tea is a great way to bring friends and family together while fundraising for such an important cause.

“It’s our biggest annual fundraiser of the year and although it takes place in May, participants can hold an event at any point during the year! If you would like to find out more about Big Chocolate Tea and how you can get involved, please do get in touch.”

Supporters can choose to take part in Big Chocolate Tea at any point during the year and will receive a pack full of goodies to help host their event.

To find out how you can get involved with Big Chocolate Tea, please email bigchoctea@sickchildrenstrust.org or visit www.sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea.