Charity | Posted on September 30th, 2024 | return to news
Dry suit fundraising campaign launched by Christchurch charity
The Isabel Baker Foundation has launched a campaign to raise funds to provide dry suits for sick children with venous lines.
A Christchurch-based charity has launched a fundraising campaign to provide dry suits for children with central venous lines so they can enjoy much-needed respite from their illnesses and enjoy playtime in the water.
Vicky Turner and Laura Blake co-founded The Isabel Baker Foundation in memory of Vicky’s daughter who died from leukaemia just days after her first birthday in 2015.
Vicky said: “When a child is really poorly, they need central venous lines which are tubes that go from the outside of a child’s body into a big vein near their heart. This reduces the need for needles during blood tests and treatment. These tubes aren’t allowed to get wet due to risk of infection which means no bath times, no swimming, and no paddling pools.
“Dry suits mean that these little heroes can have a bath, splash in a padding pool or play in the sea, while keeping those important tubes and lines safe and dry. But dry suits aren’t cheap, they cost between £350–£400 per child and they often have to be custom-made. It’s something that a lot of parents with poorly children can’t afford and that’s why we want to help.
“Imagine going though the absolute worst thing you can imagine, your baby being poorly, and then on top of everything else there’s money worries. You desperately want to do the best for your child, but money is in the way, it’s a horrendous situation to be in.”
Isabel was diagnosed with a form of infantile leukaemia at just three weeks old and Vicky was told a few days later that her baby had just a 30 per cent chance of survival.
“I had no idea when Isabel was diagnosed that babies could even get cancer. I certainly had no idea that it was the biggest cause of death by disease in children, more than all other childhood illnesses combined. With limited treatment options available, we tried the clinical trials offered to us but unfortunately nothing worked.”
With the help of her friends, Vicky set up The Isabel Baker Foundation after Isabel passed away,
She said: “We quickly realised how little financial support there was for bereaved parents and so we launched The Isabel Baker Foundation to provide grants for funeral and headstone costs, as well as help with bills to allow parents more time off work to grieve. Isabel was such a happy baby, always smiling and laughing and now her name lives on by helping others in similar situations.
“In 2018, we went to parliament to support Carolyn Harris MP’s Children’s Funeral Fund Campaign which was a success and implemented in 2019, meaning that all funerals are now free for children in the UK. An incredible step forward for grieving parents.
“We’ve raised upwards of £250,000 and helped more than 1,000 families over the last nine years. We’ve provided nearly 100 dry suits over the years and know what a huge positive impact they have on the whole family. We feel passionately about helping these poorly children enjoy themselves as well as aid their physical and mental wellbeing. Every child deserves to have fun and that’s what we’re going to do our best to deliver.”
One mum, Lauren, talked about her two-year-old daughter Raffie: “To see her be able to experience something that she hasn’t been able to for a year and a half is just incredible. She loved swimming today. Thank you so much for making this possible.”
Leila’s parents said: “Leila was so excited to try her suit. It’s only the bath, but for her it means the world. As she’s had her line for nearly two years, this is her first-time having playtime in the bath. We can’t wait to use it in the swimming pool.”
Teddy’s parents said: “We just wanted to say a huge thank you for supplying the dry suit for Teddy’s Dreamflight trip. It made a huge difference, and he had the most fantastic time.”
Vicky said: “Isabel taught us so much in her short life. She lived every day with courage and bravery. She always smiled no matter how awful she was feeling from the side effects of her treatment. She fought everyday to live and we will forever remember the lessons she left with us. Everything I do is for her, for her memory and to help other children like her.”
To donate to The Isabel Baker Foundation’s Dry Suit campaign, visit the foundation’s Just Giving page. If you have a dry suit that is no longer used that you would like to donate, please contact theisabelbakerfoundation@gmail.com.
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