A COLCHESTER mum who went into premature labour while at work has thanked a 'lifeline' charity which helped when her daughter was rushed to a specialist hospital.

Persimmon Homes planner, Beth Deacon-Bates was based at Persimmon’s offices in Orion Way in Great Blakenham when she went into premature labour.

She gave birth to baby Clara 13 weeks early, weighing just two pounds and three ounces.

After being stabilised by the team at Ipswich Hospital she was transferred to the NICU at Addenbrooke’s, more than 50 miles from the family home in Colchester.

The Sick Children’s Trust were able to offer the family accommodation at their Chestnut House ‘Home from Home’ throughout Clara’s three-week stay.

This accommodation allowed them to be close to their new arrival and gave them room to entertain older children Vinnie and Eddie when they came to visit.

Beth said: “It was a lifeline for us as a family, it meant we could all be together and be close to Clara.

“The hospital had a family room but it wasn’t really designed for older children, we could have meals and give the boys some normality while Clara was getting the best possible care at Addenbrooke’s.”

Persimmon Homes Suffolk had voted to support The Sick Children’s Trust as its charity of the year in 2023.

The staff were shocked to see first-hand the work their chosen charity does after supporting Beth and her family.

Persimmon Homes raised hundreds of pounds for the charity by organising dress-down days, bake sales, and even took part in a mud run.

Ian Hamilton, managing director of Persimmon Homes Suffolk, was keen to do more and added a further £3,000 from the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme to the money raised, taking the total to more than £4,500.

Beth joined Ian and lead fundraiser Julie Kett, receptionist at Persimmon Homes Suffolk, in presenting the money to Abi Corbett from The Sick Children’s Trust, and thanked the charity for all of their support.

He said: “We knew the charity provided vital support for families in need and everyone at Persimmon Homes Suffolk worked incredibly hard to raise money for them, not knowing that Beth and her family would be staying with them at the end of the year.

“We are delighted we have been able to help such a worthy cause, and that Clara is now safely at home with her family.”

Abi Corbett said: “On behalf of The Sick Children’s Trust, I want to say the biggest of thank yous to the team at Persimmon Homes Suffolk for raising an amazing £4,624.19 for Acorn House, our ‘Home from Home’ supporting families with a seriously ill child being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

“The funds are enough to pay for 115 nights of sanctuary at Acorn House, helping to keep those families together at the most stressful of times.”