My granddaughter was born 12 years ago and due to a complicated condition called cloaca, she not only spent the first 2.5 years of her life in hospital, she has had to undergo over 100 operations since and they just keep coming.

Definition of Cloaca https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_cloaca

All have taken place in the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle, but by their own admission, they are now at the limit of their expertise and she has been transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Her first operation next month will result in up to a 6 week stay in GOSH. I don't want to go into too much detail to protect her privacy, but suffice to say, after major surgery and a long stay, she will be travelling back in an ambulance for a further recovery period. However, what this means is that for mum (my daughter, a single parent) and her sisters, is also up to 6 week stay in London and visits back and forth for check ups.

We are currently talking to a charity to try and get them all some self-catering accommodation. As you can appreciate, it's peak tourist season and it's not going to be a normal six week stay with increasing costs for transport, food and some entertainment to keep her sister's in good spirits in a temporary change of address.

I have thought long and hard about setting this page up and have been encouraged to do so by many close friends. Obviously, we would appreciate any donation and it will go to all the above and housing their dog for 6 weeks too.

Thank you very much for reading this message and to everyone who has encouraged me to do so.

It's going to be a long summer for all concerned, but especially, for Em, her mum and her sisters.

Much Appreciated,

Grandma by the Sea

Please note, if anything is left over from the expenses incurred, it will be donated to GOSH charity.