The Children's Sunshine Home

 

 

LauraLynn House - Funds Urgently Required

Ireland's First Children 's Hospice- desparately needed. €11 million needed to support this capital development.

In Ireland there are over 1,400 children with life limiting and life threatening conditions, such as cerebral palsy, profound brain damage, meningitis, HIV and cancers. But aside from the work we do, there is a limited palliative care programme available through other agencies.

And with over 354 children's deaths a year in Ireland, we also desperately need a children's hospice.

The Children's Sunshine Home's Hospice Project was launched to address both of these issues.

Ireland's first Children's Hospice called LauraLynn House will be able to support over 300 families across Ireland a year. The LauraLynn House Paediatric Palliative Care unit will provide eight bedrooms along with living facilities as well as four family apartments, to enable relatives to be close to their children. These units will be an essential component of the Palliative Care Programme so desperately needed. A further three units, each with eight bedrooms and living accommodation, will be built at Leopardstown to provide more Respite Care and Residential Care.

When it is known that life is short, two things become very important to the family; the quality of life and the enjoyment of the time that is left. Caring for a seriously ill child puts an immense physical and emotional strain on the whole family. The demands of caring for a sick child absorb the very time and energy that is needed to enjoy life.

A residential children's hospice is a families' last option but a real option for some - providing a 'home from home' offering a place where families can relax, recharge their batteries, share the care and have fun with their children.

Expert care is on hand to help them make the most of each day and live life to the full. This care would be provided by a multi-disciplinary team of Professionals: such as Paediatric Palliative care Physicians and Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Chaplain and Bereavement Counsellors and GP Services.

Some ways in which a Children's Hospice will help:

• Practical and emotional support to those involved in caring for a sick child.
• Medical care, and Emergency care.
• Respite care, not only for the sick child, but for the family and siblings, offering sibling support groups and activities.
• Relaxation, friendship and sense of community "sharing the caring"
• Encourage families to build up a "buddy" support system.
• Giving families choices - i.e. Choice to stay and share the care of their child. Be there as a family, or leave the sick child and take a break away, knowing their child will have the same loving care as they themselves give. Spend more time with the other children in the family, who are often left out. Whatever the choices made, the Hospice would be flexible to meet each family's needs.
• Palliative care as necessary, and continued support as needed following a child's death.

At any one time, we could provide for up to 300 children and their families. We need €11 million to support this Building Development.

The Children's Sunshine Home is a registered charity, and if you would like to help us in any way, please let us know. Our Registered Charity Number is CHY 2633.