Why Derian? 

The first words that come to mind are invaluable support, an incredibly happy place to be, and where children and young adults are treated with so much life to give not that their lives are limited.  

Derian have been in our lives for nearly 3 years.  We were first introduced to Derian when Jake was 2 weeks old.  For those that don't know our little boy Jake was born with a rare genetic condition called Proud Syndrome, which came with a rare brain condition called Lissencephaly (smooth brain) which was in turn a life limiting condition and sadly Jake passed away in August 2022 at just over 2 years old.  

Derian have played a massive part in our lives offering support not only with Jake but with us as a whole family.  You hear the words children's hospice and immediately think why on earth would you want to go anywhere near one, but we couldn't have been more wrong.   We started small getting some at home respite care from the amazing perinatal nurses, then after a lot of persuasion came visiting the hospice for some family time in their hydrotherapy pool - Jake loved water so what better way to break the ice than giving him some joy in what he loved and spending quality time as a family. Then came playgroup, visiting the smile park, using the sensory room, upgrading (due to his age) to the equally amazing Derian at home nurses and much more. 

Along with holiday lodges, one of which we were lucky enough to stay in at no charge to us, cinema room, hydrotherapy pool, messy play, sensory room, in house and at home respite, smile park, music therapy, emotional and family support for all, everyone at the hospice treats the children with so much love and happiness there really is nowhere in our eyes better than Derian.  

We spent Jake's final days at the hospice and there was honestly nowhere else we would have rather been.  At the worst possible time in our lives, they were there - again, they helped us make special memories that you wouldn't get anywhere else.  They cared for Jake, Lilly, James and I, all our family and friends still do.  Once you are part of Derian you are a part for life.  They throw their arms around you if you want it and if you don't, it's there when you are ready - nothing is ever too much.  

We can't thank Derian enough for all they do for us and the 449 other families they support which is why we will never stop supporting them in any way we can.  It costs £6m per year for Derian to do what they do so we are asking for you to donate towards, or sign yourself up to join us and help raise vital funds for an amazing charity that is extremely close to our hearts in memory of our beautiful, sweet boy Jake Eric Macaree. 

Thank you

Jake, Lauren, James and Lilly xx