A WOMAN who lost her daughter to Hodgkin’s lymphoma is devastated the care home that helped her family during this difficult time faces closure.

Vicky Pyne and her husband brought their daughter Alice to Malcolm Sargent House in August 2009 and Christmas 2010 during her illness.

Speaking about their experiences Alice said: “We had a holiday of our own accord the year before in Wales but so many people would stare at Alice because she was bald and had tubes attached to her.

“This sort of thing makes you really protective as a parent. It is hard to go on holiday with a sick child because you have to take so much equipment and make sure it is clean. 

“If you don’t it could lead to infection and become the difference between life and death.

“Initially I was quite wary of going to MSH because we were leaving the safety of our own bubble. But when we got there Alice began to relax. 

"The staff were friendly and down to earth.

“Alice was surrounded by people just like her. No-one stared because she was bald and the children wanted to get to know her.”

Alice’s sister also went on holiday with the family and socialised with other children who had a sibling that was ill.

Vicky could wander around the house in her pyjamas all day if she had been up looking after Alice all night if she wanted. 

Vicky continued: “We went back for Christmas 2010 after Alice had been told there was no more treatment. 

"I remember walking along the beach with Alice and thinking, ‘please don’t let this be our last Christmas together’.”

Alice sadly passed away when she was 17 in 2013. 
Her family still set a place for her at the dinner table at Christmas and light a tea light for her.

Their message is simple - don’t close Malcolm Sargent House.