A FAMILY with two boys who both have a rare form of muscular dystrophy are heading up a major campaign for a children’s hospice.

Chestnut Tree House has launched a new drive to increase the number of children it cares for in the Brighton and Hove area.

It is asking people what little things they can do to help to make a big difference to local life-limited children.

Called ‘Because the little things are the big things’, the campaign also highlights the work the hospice does to help the families under its care.

Laura and Peter, 40, Elliott, whose sons Sam, 13 and Owen, nine, both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and are the faces of the campaign.

Mrs Elliott, 38, from Shoreham, first became aware something was wrong when Sam was at primary school.

She said: “The school nurse noticed Sam had an awkward gait and suggested we go to the hospital to get it checked out.

“We were referred for blood tests and were expecting the results back within a couple of weeks. When we were called back in after just a couple of days we knew something wasn't right."

The couple were told Sam had the condition and there was a 50-50 chance Owen had it too.

Mrs Elliott said: "There was no history of the condition in either mine or Peter's family but when we found out it was genetic, we immediately had Owen tested.

“When his positive diagnosis came back, our world just fell apart."

As the Elliott’s came to terms with the enormity of their situation, they discovered that by pure coincidence a boy who attended Sam’s school also had Duchenne .

The two families struck up a close friendship and it was their friends who told the Elliotts about the hospice, which is based near Arundel.

Mrs Elliott said it was the warmth of the staff and the normality of hospice life that helped put them at ease when they first went to visit.

She said: “We got to see all the incredible facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool and the multi-sensory room.

“We were also shown the family accommodation where we could all come and stay together. Our fears about hospice care were instantly dispelled."

Now all the family head over to Chestnut Tree House as often as they can to make use of the facilities and relax.

The hospice’s Community nurse team also go to the Elliott’s home once a month.

The hospice is not part of the NHS and relies on the support of the community to keep its vital services going.

For more details, visit chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/littlethings/

Hospice representatives were highlighting the campaign over the bank holiday weekend as part of the Brighton Fringe.