SEEING a loved one go through cancer treatment can be a difficult situation for anyone.

But being away from them while they go through the gruelling therapy can be a major part of the battle for many families.

However, thanks to the charity CLIC Sargent, the Foster family from Basingstoke, were able to stay in one of the charity’s ‘Homes from Home’ free of charge.

The family stayed in the CLIC Haven while one-year-old Rae went through treatment for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which she was diagnosed with at just five-months-old.

Following the shock diagnosis, Rae underwent chemotherapy and lumbar punctures and is now having chemotherapy daily in liquid form and weekly blood tests. Her father David said: “The first three months were a blur, it was such a massive shock. Cancer was not something we expected it to be. We thought initially she had an enlarged spleen that would need removing.”

It was thanks to the ‘Home from Home’ scheme that David and his family were able to be with Rae the whole time.

Because of this experience the Foster family are now backing a CLIC Sargent appeal to transform a former bed and breakfast into a new haven for families of children and young people with cancer.

The charity is planning to open a new ‘Home from Home’, called Jean’s House in Southampton this autumn.

Planning permission was granted by Southampton City Council in October and the charity has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the £1.6million cost for buying and fully adapting the building.

David added: “CLIC Haven made a huge difference to our family and helped us with a sense of normality there.

“With my sons, Riley, Aidan and Noah, it was so important to spend time as a family with my wife Aimee and Rae. Without the house, I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been, I really don’t know what we would have done without it. Either one of us, both of us or all the family stayed there for seven / eight months.” With Rae, who is still undergoing treatment, her family are keen to give something back by lending their support to the campaign to help other families.

David added: “I really hope that everyone in Basingstoke backs this appeal because it is a lifeline to families like ours who have their world turned upside down.” It made a huge difference to us and help get a sense of normality for so many months. If we can share our story to inspire others to donate to help families like ours in the future then it is all worth it.”

To help fundraise, call 07944 696 858 or email Liz.Blunt@clicsargent.org.uk.