Ann and her team in Sheffield will forever be in our hearts.

At our 20 week scan we found out that our baby boy, Noah, would be born with an abnormal kidney, which meant his start to life was not going to be an easy one.

We were shocked. You never really expect to hear your child has a battle on their hands before they’re even born. Noah’s kidney was actually split into two sections with complicated pipework and blockages so it wouldn’t drain properly into his bladder. As time went on we found out more about his condition and what it meant. We knew he’d have to have some procedures once he was born and there was a definite risk he could lose one kidney. But we were hopeful he’d make a full recovery and live a long and happy life. Unfortunately though, worry can sometimes overcome hope.

We live in Matlock and were told that Noah could be born at our closest hospital which was in Chesterfield. But at five days old he needed to be transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he had his first operation. I can’t begin to tell you the emotions we went through. We were relieved that our son’s condition could be treated, we were hopeful that after the operation he’d recover, and the operation would mean he’d be better, but we feared something could happen to our precious son, the most precious person in our lives.

We didn’t know really how long we’d be at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and it was an incredibly long way from home. We didn’t want to leave Noah’s side when he was just days old and going through major surgery, but sadly we thought this would be the only option which broke our hearts.

Thankfully it wasn’t. As soon as we arrived, the nurse assigned to us said she’d see if we could stay at Magnolia House. We didn’t know what Magnolia House was but soon found out that it was the place that would keep us by our son’s side. The nurse explained that Magnolia House, alongside another place called Treetop House, was free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for families with sick children being treated in the hospital, and that it was run by a charity called The Sick Children’s Trust.

This meant that we were able to stay together for free, no further than two minutes away from Noah’s bedside. We spent ten days initially in Sheffield Children’s Hospital while Noah received the treatment he needed.

At Magnolia House we got to meet Ann, and her fantastic team running both ‘Homes from Home’ in Sheffield. The staff were caring and sensitive, it was as if they could sense when you needed a little privacy, or when you just needed someone to have a chat with and let off some steam.

Since September, Noah has been back in hospital several times for further operations, most recently in January when he ended up back on the intensive care unit for 16 days. But each time The Sick Children’s Trust has been there for our family, giving us so much support.

As time has gone, and the more operations and infections Noah’s had to overcome – it really has been difficult. One of the hardest things to see is the number of cannulas Noah’s had to have during his short life, something I am sure other parents feel too.

We are really hoping that Noah in on the mend – he gets stronger every day. We can already tell he will be a cheeky little monkey when he’s older. Our concern right now is that nothing happens to his healthy kidney while all these treatments go on to help his left kidney.

Throughout this traumatic journey, everyone had been so amazing and supportive. But we really don't know where we would be without the help of The Sick Children Trust. Ann and her team in Sheffield will forever be in our hearts. When Noah gets a little stronger we are hoping to do some fundraising for Magnolia and Treetop Houses – our plan is to walk the High Peak Trail over a weekend which is 46 miles. Just to say thank you.

Rich, Jen and Noah.