'She's been through so much but has so much love'

Sally with her daughter Olivia who have access to a family support worker funded by BBC Children in Need

The family of a four-year-old girl, born with a rare, life-limiting disorder, have revealed how their lives have been changed by BBC Children in Need.

Olivia from Lincolnshire has SIFD (Sideroblastic anaemia) but is being supported by St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby which provides a family support worker.

Sally, Olivia's mum, said the service helped them to deal with their emotions as her daughter underwent a major operation as well as their day-to-day lives.

Olivia is one of about 8,000 children across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire who have been supported by projects which receive funding from BBC Children in Need.

Olivia underwent a stem cell transplant after she was diagnosed with a rare disorder which causes severe anaemia

Olivia was born prematurely, at 28 weeks, and spent the first 11 months of her life in hospital. In 2023, she was diagnosed with suspected SIFD and underwent a stem-cell transplant.

Sally described how the family "didn't know" if Olivia would survive the procedure and "planned a funeral" and "had their last goodbyes with family and friends".

She added: "In true Olivia-style, she smashed it and we're here now". Olivia is only the fourth child to survive this particular procedure.

Sally said Olivia brings so much "love and happiness", despite "everything she's been through". She loves Peppa Pig, her favourite colour is pink and she's recently started school, attending three afternoons a week.

Lucy Williamson is Head of Children's Services at St Andrew's Hospice

Over the past year, Sally and Olivia's family have been helped by a family support worker funded by BBC Children in Need.

Lucy Williamson, head of children's services at St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby, said the role is "much needed" as it focusses on supporting the emotions, mental health, and wellbeing of family which surround children like Olivia.

She added: "There are, at the moment, hospices that are having to withdraw some services.

"We're not at that stage yet, but if we don't have that vital funding, that is the possibility within the future."

It costs almost £6m a year to deliver the services offered at St Andrew's with 18% provided by the government. The rest, about £5m, comes from fundraising and grants.

This year's BBC Children in Need campaign takes place on Friday 15 November.

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