A children’s hospice is making an emotional plea for donations ahead of the launch of its Christmas appeal this week.

Haven House Children’s Hospice in High Road, Woodford Green, offers vital care and support to children and young people suffering with life-limiting illnesses. 

The story behind this year’s appeal is about a young boy and his mother who used the hospice regularly until he died last December aged just seven.

Vanessa Johnson's son Jayden was born prematurely and diagnosed at birth with Lissencephaly – a rare neurological disorder.

Jayden suffered from seizures and visual impairment and required round-the-clock care.

As a single mother and in need of help, Ms Johnson, 34, from Waltham Cross, turned to Haven House.

A letter by Ms Johnson has been written specifically for the appeal.

It reads: “Having never visited a hospice before, I had always imagined them to be depressing places where people went to spend their final days.

“Haven House is the complete opposite – it’s a lively, bright, children’s centre. Straight away I felt comfortable and knew that I would be happy leaving Jayden there."

Ms Johnson said she could not imagine how different the scenario would have been without Haven House over the past six years.

Jayden regularly went to the hospice for respite care and had 10 sleep-overs a year at the hospice. He enjoyed the specially equipped sensory room and his music therapy sessions.

On December 19, Jayden passed away in hospital.

Ms Johnson said: “As I sat watching him slip away from me, the only thing I could take comfort from was that I could call Haven House and have Jayden transferred there after his death.

“He loved his visits to the hospice and it was the only place where I wanted to be."

The charity, now in its 10th year, celebrated its birthday recently with a party in the hospice grounds and an exclusive black tie event at the Plaisterers’ Hall in The City.

To find out more information and to make a donation, please visit: http://havenhouse.org.uk/jaydensappeal/