Visitors to Leeds train station will notice something a little different this weekend, as children from Martin House Children's Hospice take over the tannoy.
Charlie (7), Ivy (8), Shailene (12), Sadie (13), Leighton (14) and Alina (18) all either receive care from Martin House or have a close family connection to the hospice.
Their messages will thank the people of Leeds for helping to fund The BUILD - the hospice’s new £21.9m redevelopment project, officially opening in June.
New facilities, such as a hydrotherapy pool, will help the hospice support even more families across Yorkshire when they need it most.
The children’s voices will be heard across all platforms and concourses on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May.
Two of the children involved in the station takeover - Sadie and Leighton - are current service users at Martin House.
Sadie was diagnosed with Cockayne Syndrome at the age of five – a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. She visits Martin House with her family for respite stays.
In her thank you message, Sadie said:
"Welcome to Leeds Station. I am Sadie, aged 13. Because of the people from Leeds, Martin House Children's Hospice can care for more children like me. Thank you."
Her mum, Jennie, said:
“Sadie loves attending Martin House. She really likes the new building and particularly enjoys the garden and crafts area.
"Respite stays give us the chance to switch off as a family and spend quality time together.”
Leighton – described by his Mum, Chrissie, as “witty, and a big Liverpool fan” - started going to Martin House at the age of four, having been diagnosed with a rare condition called Aicardi Goutières Syndrome.
Leighton’s younger sister, Dollie, sadly died of the condition when she was six.
In his message, Leighton thanks the people of Leeds for supporting the hospice, which Chrissie says he loves visiting.
“Martin House has been the best place for all of us – they support our whole family. Leighton begs us to stay longer every time we go!
"Without Martin House, we wouldn’t get the help and support that we need, and life would be even harder than it currently is.”
Charlie is another of the children who recorded a message for Leeds station. His little sister Evelyn died aged just seven months following a brain injury around the time of her birth.
Martin House supported the family throughout Evelyn’s life, as well as after her death. The family has since raised over £125,000 for the hospice.
Charlie’s message said:
“Welcome to Leeds station. I'm Charlie, aged 7.
"Martin House Children's Hospice looked after my sister Evelyn. Because of you, they have a new hospice to look after more families like mine. Thank you.”
Caroline said:
“Martin House gave us precious time together as a family with Evelyn, and because of the people of Leeds, and across Yorkshire, even more families will now get that same support in the new hospice.
"We wanted to say thank you for helping make that possible.”
Each year, Martin House provides specialist palliative care and support to more than 550 children, young people and their families across West, North and East Yorkshire.
All services are available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and include planned short breaks, symptom management, and end-of-life care.
Michelle Ford, Regional and Events Team Manager at Martin House, said:
“We can’t wait to hear the children’s messages played over the speakers! They’re incredibly sweet, and communicate just how grateful everyone – from the service users to the clinical staff – is for Yorkshire’s support.
“The majority of our specialist care is funded by voluntary donations and fundraising. We simply wouldn’t have been able to open our new facilities without the help of our amazing supporters. Because of you, we’ve built a legacy of care.”
To find out more about Martin House Children’s Hospice, visit: www.martinhouse.org.uk
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