Holiday home puts a smile on twins' faces (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Holiday home puts a smile on twins' faces

2:00pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in News By Helen Morton

YOUNG twins who have battled through multiple health problems have been given an incredible boost by a special north Hampshire holiday home.

In the three years since their birth, Noah and Freddie Hart have been constantly in and out of hospital due to a variety of respiratory problems.

Even outside of their hospital visits, life for the twins has revolved around a constant cycle of treatments and medications – an ongoing struggle for them and for their parents But finding out about The Bluebells, run by charity Sebastian’s Action Trust, has made a huge difference for the twins and their parents, Gemma and Tony Hart.

The Bluebells was built in honour of Sebastian Gates, a brave nine-year-old who lost his battle with cancer in 2003. Sebastian, from Berkshire, dreamed of a holiday home where young children like him could get away from the stress of day-to-day life and have a good time with their families.

Following Sebastian’s death, his mum Jane and the rest of his family set about making his dream a reality, and the holiday home was completed last year.

At the home, which offers respite breaks to the families of children with serious, life-limiting or life-threatening medical conditions, the Hart family, from Popley, Basingstoke, have been able to relax together for the first time in a long time.

Since January, when they had their first visit, they have spent several days and weekends at the home in North Waltham.

Gemma, 29, said: “For me, anything that can put a smile on their faces is brilliant. It’s amazing to have such a great place right on our doorstep. I found out about it through my respite nurse, who filled in a form for me, and that was it.

“The boys absolutely love it there – they call it ‘their house’. We’re relocating soon but we will definitely be keeping in touch with The Bluebells. For us, just being all together with so much support around was overwhelming.”

At the home there are two four-bedroom apartments, with an indoor pool with spa, an indoor games area, a home cinema, a multi-sensory room, a music room, an art room, a therapies room and many more facilities besides.

For the twins, spending time at the house has been a real treat. They suffer from a variety of respiratory problems, meaning they can find it tough to breathe and a simple cold can leave them on a ventilator. In their short lives, they have battled their way through collapsed lungs, pneumonia, viruses and various infections.

The twins also suffer from asthma, and Noah has regular seizures and a heart defect, which will later require surgery.

Gemma said: “Things can get tough but it’s so good to know there is somewhere we can escape to, and people there who will help us.”