4-year-old Daniel had leukaemia and had spent nearly 3 months being treated in hospital. He’d had a bone marrow transplant and needed a long convalescence.
Young Daniel was very homesick and wanted more than anything to be back home with his mum, dad and two sisters. But he was still very frail and any infection or bruising could endanger his recovery. The hospital couldn't allow him home unless conditions there were exceptionally clean and safe.
Daniel’s old mattress and bedding would have to be replaced, the family would have to buy a new fridge so that his medicines could be kept at the right temperature, and they would have to buy powerful new vacuum cleaner to keep the house as clean as possible.
Daniel’s father was already struggling to support his family on a very low wage and he could not afford to pay for all these new things. Tragically, it looked like Daniel would have to spend yet more time in hospital because his parents didn’t have enough money to make their home safe for him.
Fortunately a hospital social worker knew about Family Action and wrote to us on the family’s behalf, urgently requesting a contribution towards these basic needs. When our Grants Committee read the application, they immediately decided to give Daniel and his family a grant of £350. As a result, Daniel’s parents were able to bring him back to the comforting surroundings of his own home.
Donate now to help us support more families like Daniel’s.
Read about some of the other families we have been able to help with a small grant.