Claire House launches urgent appeal for new ‘lifeline’ rapid response vehicle to maintain desperately needed care

Claire House Children’s Hospice has launched an urgent appeal to buy a new rapid response vehicle to continue to provide a lifeline for the seriously ill children and families it cares for.

Claire House Children’s Hospice needs to raise £65,676 to buy a modified van after its original vehicle became unusable.

Without it, a spokesperson for the hospice says:

“It could limit children and their families from receiving care in the place that’s best for them.”

And they add: “This simply can’t happen.”

The children’s hospice was left struggling after its old vehicle suffered years of wear and tear, and the ramp eventually broke making it no longer wheelchair accessible.

The rapid response vehicle has space for medical equipment and is used to transport loved ones and wheelchair users.

It means staff can always be there, whether someone needs symptom management, a mum or dad needs help to cope with their child’s complex needs, or a family simply needs a moment of normality, either in their homes, in the hospice, or wherever it is needed.

The rapid response vehicle was vital to 13-year-old Elliot Price, after the teenager was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

Elliot was a perfectly ordinary teenage boy before he became ill and, following complications with the treatment for his cancer, he developed complex needs and was unable to walk or move on his own and his communication was limited. 

Claire House visited Elliot frequently in his home to make sure he was comfortable and offered support whenever it was needed.

Living an hour from the hospice and without a large enough car to transport a wheelchair and equipment, a modified van for Elliot was vital.

Claire House says:

“That’s where the rapid response vehicle came in. Not only did it mean we could respond as quickly as possible if there were any critical medical issues, it meant Elliot could make memories and enjoy precious experiences.”

Claire House – which now has a full hospice in Wirral, as well as a site in West Derby which supports children and families in the community – says without a vehicle, its ability to deliver care is hugely impacted. 

“We urgently need to buy a replacement to get to the children who need our expert medical support. But also, crucially, we must continue to give families the opportunity to access the hospice and get out to make lasting memories together while they can.

“Right now, we’re doing everything we can to keep going,” it says.

But a new vehicle to do that is vital.

Claire House says if 1,000 give £65.67, they’d have enough to get back on the road.

But it adds:

“A gift of any amount would be amazing.  And it will make a massive difference for so many brave children and families who depend on us.

“Elliot sadly passed away at home recently with the support of our nurses. Claire House would like to thank Elliot’s parents Emma Cartlidge and Jonathan Price for allowing us to share his story, our thoughts are with them.”

To help Claire House Children’s Hospice replace their rapid response vehicle go to the website.

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