WHAT a difference 16 months can make...

Today, Jack Morphet is a happy baby boy, smiley, curious and healthy.

But at just two days old, a medical emergency meant Jack needed major surgery to repair a rare intestinal condition that affects just one newborn in every 6,000. It was a worrying time for his family - mum Amelia, 36, dad Steve, 40, and Jack’s sister Isabel, six.

With Jack now recovered, his parents, from Cargo, near Carlisle, have said a special thank you to the charity which made it possible for them to be at his side as he recovered from the operation at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).

Throughout his three weeks of treatment there, the Sick Children’s Trust made it possible for Steve to stay at nearby Crawford House while Amelia was able to sleep by her son’s side on the hospital ward. To thank the charity, the couple asked friends and family to donate to the trust at their son’s christening.

Between them, the 50 guests raised £450.

Jack’s condition was identified by a scan 28 weeks into Amelia’s pregnancy.

He had a condition called duodenal atresia in which the first part of the small intestine, just beyond the stomach, is closed off rather than being a tube. This stops food and fluid passing from the stomach into the intestines.

So Jack needed an operation at the RVI, 60 miles from the family’s home in Cargo. Fortunately, Amelia and Steve were told about The Sick Children’s Trust, which runs free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for families with seriously ill children in hospital.

“Crawford House was such a huge help, especially in those early days,” said Amelia.

“We didn’t anticipate I’d have an emergency caesarean and would be recovering in hospital while Jack was recovering in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), but because of Crawford House my husband Steve was there, at every opportunity supporting Jack and me in our recovery.

“Steve and I felt very cared for at Crawford House.

“It gave us peace of mind.

“Although I wasn’t staying there, the staff would always pop onto the ward to visit us and ask how we were getting on. They were always so lovely and friendly. And I was always welcome to pop over to have some time to relax and rest and even do our laundry, as being so far away from home the facilities were vital.” Isabel stayed with grandparents during Jack’s hospitalisation - but she loved the ‘adventure’ of visiting to Crawford House.

“Our daughter [who stayed with grandparents during Jack’s hospital stay]even came to stay and when she visited, she thought Crawford House was a brilliant adventure; she enjoyed breakfast in the kitchen, the playroom and visiting the park with her dad to take some time out from the hospital environment.”

Now slowly coming off his medication, Jack is enjoying nursery, making friends and charming everyone with his beautiful smile and cheeky personality.

Amelia added: “Our stay was relatively short and we find ourselves fortunate in this respect. “Until I was in that position I’d never considered how long some families are away from home and how difficult it must be to feel torn between staying and being with the rest of the family.

“We asked Jack’s family and friends to donate to The Sick Children’s Trust as we wanted to say thank you for everything the charity offered us when we needed support.

“We can’t thank Crawford House and The Sick Children’s Trust enough for being the support we needed at that time.”

Crawford House is one of ten ‘Homes from Home’ run by The Sick Children’s Trust.

Every year, the charity supports 4,000 families in ten locations with children undergoing specialist treatment in hospital. It costs £30 to support a family for one night and the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to meet this cost. Crawford House Manager, Andrew Leadbitte thanked Jack’s family, saying: “We’re so grateful to all of Jack’s family and friends for giving so generously at his Christening. When a child is ill in hospital, all any family wants is to be there by their side giving them much needed comfort. With this donation we will be able to ensure more families are able to stay together. From all of us at The Sick Children’s Trust, we’d like to say a huge thank you.” Jack’s christening was at St Mary’s Church in Rockcliffe. Find out more at www.sickchildrenstrust.org/