For six years Morpeth Lions have supported the Sick Children’s Trust (SCT) and their two residential units at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.  This summer the SCT came to the Lions with an urgent request to help them replace their two industrial microwaves at Scott House, Freeman Hospital.  Morpeth Lions came to their aid and purchased one microwave and secured the purchase of the other microwave from a private source.

The Lions decided it was time to visit Scott House to get a better appreciation of how they can help in the future.   The SCT provides residential accommodation for families with seriously ill children in hospital so that the families can stay together during this time.  It is widely accepted that keeping families together aids the sick child’s recovery.

A small group of Lions were shown round by Linsey Brough, House Manager and Emily Corney from the Fund Raising Team.  Scott House has 18 bedrooms for visiting families and a transplant flat where recovering children and family can stay to prepare the child to go home.  Scott House has two floors each with en-suite bedrooms, a kitchen and a rest room.  There is also a communal bathroom, meeting room and laundry room.  The bedrooms and communal are painted to provide a calming effect and the kitchens with bright orange paintwork to stimulate appetite.

The SCT Houses are all funded by donations.  However there are a number of other items needed for everyday running.  High on the list is toilet paper!  Others items include selected least allergic cleaning products and hand wash, cloths, sponges and paper towels.  Brand new toys and books are also welcome.  Local donations can be specified to be used locally.

The Lions spent a most interesting time at Scott House.  Lion President Richard Nash said that the visit had been a most worthwhile and interesting from which the Lions had learnt a great deal and he wished SCT all the very best for the future in their invaluable work in helping sick children and their families.

Poignantly, the Morpeth Herald recently featured the benefits derived from Scott House by the family of Lorna and Kevin Pattison prior to the death of their daughter Emily.  Kevin is a past member of the Lions Club of Morpeth.

If you’d like to better understand the work the SCT do – please, watch this video: