'We want to help other parents with kids in hospital'

A mother whose three-year-old child spent half of his life in and out of hospital is providing a box of essentials for other parents in a similar situation to give them a "little comfort" during "some of the hardest moments of their lives".

Samantha's son Lucas was diagnosed with rare disease biliary atresia at two weeks old - meaning long spells in hospitals, including Arrowe Park Hospital, Birkenhead, until a lifesaving partial liver transplant donated by his father in 2023.

The 30-year-old now wants to help other families with "parent support boxes" containing food, treats and toiletries, and gifts for their children.

"It's nice to be in a better place and do something for others," she said.

She said she was "so incredibly proud" of both Lucas and her husband, Josh, who gave their son "the most selfless gift imaginable, a piece of his liver and a second chance at life".

Samantha said: "Lucas has had everything thrown at him and he just miraculously bounces back.

"He's got a lot of fight in him. He has overcome so many illnesses in his little life."

She described Josh as a "hero", adding he did not hesitate to donate part of his liver to save their son.

Initially, Samantha said the family wanted to provide the boxes for parents whose children were in hospital over Christmas, having experienced two there with Lucas.

"Being in hospital for Christmas is very different to being at home with family and friends," she said.

However, the family would love to extend it to provide the "small gesture" all year round.

She said they had raised more than £500 for the children's ward at the hospital to provide new toys and vouchers for young patients, as well as items for parents staying on the ward.

She says it is an "incredible place that has cared for our family during some of the hardest moments of our lives" and the family "wanted to give something back".

"As parents who have spent long days and nights in hospital with our son, we know just how exhausting, overwhelming and isolating that experience can be.

"You try and look after your child when they're not well in hospital and I think everything goes into your child.

"I think you sort of just forget about yourself.

"Parents often forget to eat, to rest, and to look after their own physical and mental wellbeing."

Samantha makes sure there is gift-wrapped hand cream in the boxes after she said the constant hand washing during hospital stays left hers "sore and chapped".

The boxes also contain a message of support about how parents or guardians are using their hands to care for a person, so use the cream to care for yourself.

The mother of two said Lucas and her youngest son, Leo, had helped with the boxes and it was "lovely to go to Arrowe Park Children's Hospital for something positive and not for tests or treatment".

"The staff were so happy to see him so well."

The family hope the parent support box "brings a little comfort and takes even the tiniest bit of pressure off parents who are going through one of the most difficult times of their lives".

During their darkest times, she said they were very lucky to have had a caring and supportive family to help but "not everybody has that".

Janelle Holmes, chief executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which runs Arrowe Park Hospital, said it was a "lovely gesture by Samantha to support parents during a difficult time".

"The items are available in the parents room of the children's ward and are there to offer comfort to those who need it.

"We are really grateful for this kind donation and it is really benefiting parents of children on the ward," she added.

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