A FAMILY which has been using the services of a children’s hospice since 2011 feature in a new film about the charity.

The Lundin family from Barcombe, near Lewes, talk about how Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice has helped after daughter Eva was born 13 weeks early, not breathing, and spent the first 108 days of her life in hospital.

The film aims to raise awareness of the charity and the care it can provide in children’s own homes.

Dad Jason said: "Eva was tiny but she fought hard. She is now almost six years old and is a loving girl with Cerebral Palsy and chronic lung disease.

"She has come a long way since those early days, but she is still highly dependent on me and her mum for all of her needs. She cannot walk unaided, her weak chest means she is often dependent on oxygen, she is fed by a tube and she cannot speak to us.

"Of course, she communicates in her own way, and has even learnt a few signs, but caring for her is still hugely demanding."

Jason gave up work to become Eva’s full time carer in 2011.

He added: “It’s definitely a lot harder doing the caring. As with any child, it’s all about getting into good routines, and luckily I have a highly-organised wife who takes care of that, but those routines are different when you are caring for a child with complex needs such as Eva. Seemingly simple tasks like doing the weekly shop or running errands were totally impossible without help."

The family access a range of services at Chestnut Tree House, based near Arundel. A nurse visits regularly to take care of Eva while Jason and wife Mel spend some quality time together.

Jason added: "It’s wonderful. To start with, the visits from the Chestnut Tree Nurse gave us time to get everyday tasks done, but now we use it as precious time for Mel and I to spend as a couple, which is really invaluable."

The help has also given Eva’s brother George the chance to spend time with his parents.

“It is inevitable that you end up spending the majority of your time looking after the more dependent child,” Jason added. “So during the school holidays I try to use our Chestnut Tree nurse visits to spend some time with George, doing the kind of things that aren’t that easy with Eva.”

The family has also spent time at the charity’s purpose built hospice near Worthing.

As for Eva, her future is looking bright. “She’s just strong enough to get into the kitchen cupboards now so it looks like we’re going to have to child-proof everything again. And she has her powered wheelchair now, so there really will be no stopping her.”

You can see Eva’s film on www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/handsup, by liking Chestnut Tree House on Facebook, or by following @HandsUpToHelp.