A BARROW mum has thanked a charity which provided ‘vital’ accommodation for the family when her daughter was seriously ill in hospital.

Selena Jolliffe is raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities which supplied free ‘home away from home’ accommodation when her daughter, Darcey, was hospitalised.

The little girl, now two, was just a few days old when she was rushed to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after blood was found in her nappy.

It was discovered the infant was suffering with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) which is a medical condition in which tissues in the intestine become inflamed and start to die.

Mrs Jolliffe described the experience as a ‘horrible time’ for the whole family.

“It was a really difficult time for us all, especially being so far from home,” she said.

“Ronald McDonald was an absolute godsend for us all and we couldn’t have done without them.”

The charity provided the family with accommodation for two weeks whilst Darcey was treated in hospital.

Mrs Jolliffe said: “It was such a relief for us.

"We were a priority because we’d travelled so far and so were given accommodation as soon as they could.

“Our three-year-old son George was also allowed to stay alongside other family members and siblings.

“Some families are in there for months - the accommodation is available for as long as you need it.”

Mrs Jolliffe wants to make more people aware of the charity and how it helps families across the country.

“Basic requirements really are all provided, to make a difficult time, that bit easier to cope with, and it’s all free,” she said.

“This really is an invaluable charity and deserves all the funding help it can get.

“We also can’t thank the paediatricians and surgeons, both in Barrow and Manchester, enough.

"The care she received was absolutely fantastic.”

If you would like to help Mrs Jolliffe’s fundraising, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/1tkuvv425c.