I am a business insurance advisor at a brokers based in Peterborough. We are a family of four: my husband John, our son Rex, and our daughter Isla. 

When I was pregnant with Isla, we received news that she had a high chance of having Down Syndrome and had other health complications associated with that. We were also told that my daughter would need open heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital when she was born. 

We had so many appointments when I was pregnant, and Isla was diagnosed with two congenital conditions: duodenal atresia and an atrioventricular septal defect, which both needed surgery. It would have been extremely difficult financially to cope with the travel costs to and from London and additional childcare costs for Rex whilst on reduced income from maternity leave, and dealing with a sick baby.

We did have reservations about contacting the Charity, as we’ve never approached anyone for help before and hadn’t even considered it until a packet of seeds from The Insurance Charity was left on our desks at work. I went onto the Charity’s website and read about some of the experiences of other people who had received help, and that pushed me to apply.

The Charity provided us with financial support to cover travel, food, and childcare costs whilst Isla was in hospital on three occasions in her first year of life. 

We are incredibly happy to say that Isla has made amazing progress following a very difficult year. She had gastric surgery when she was four days old, spent over a month in Great Ormond Street in January with a virus, and then open-heart surgery in the June. She makes us proud every day, and I am due to return to work soon.

We are so grateful for the financial support provided by The Insurance Charity, as this took a huge weight off our minds so that we could concentrate on Isla’s health and our family. 

To anyone thinking of contacting us for support, I’d say that it was a very easy and well-supported process. I didn’t feel embarrassed about asking for help at any point. No one can predict these things that can happen in your life, so accept any help you can. 

*stock imagery used and some names changed for confidentiality