Hertford family who lost son to cancer say support for new law is 'surreal'

Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis say parents with children who are receiving long-term hospital care "can't escape the financial burden; you have to deal with it"

A father who has advocated for a new law to provide better financial support for parents of children who require lengthy hospital care, said the government support was "surreal".

Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis, from Hertfordshire, commuted daily to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge to be with their son Hugh, who had cancer.

In October they delivered a petition to Downing Street for Hugh's Law.

They met with Sir Oliver Heald and Jo Churchill on 6 February.

Mr Menai-Davis and his wife began campaigning for Hugh's Law after their son died in September 2021. They have since founded the charity It's Never You, which offers support for families with children living with cancer.

The new law is designed to provide furlough-style payment for parents caring for an unwell child who is in hospital for an extended period.

On 6 February the couple met with Sir Oliver Heald, the MP for North East Hertfordshire - who has put forward a private member's bill on the issue - and Jo Churchill, the minister for employment at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Both MPs have shown support for the petition.

Ceri Menai-Davis and his wife, Frances, met with MP Oliver Heald and pensions minister Jo Churchill on 6 February

Sir Oliver raised a petition on the issue during Prime Minister's Questions in December and it was recognised by Parliament.

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Mr Menai-Davis admitted he felt disappointed when he thought his petition would not continue, but was pleased when Sir Oliver raised it during PMQs and described the moment as "surreal".

He said: "We were told [Sir Oliver] was going to ask a question to the Prime Minister.

"Then he said it and when Rishi Sunak mentioned us, it was... surreal.

"My wife and I just turned to each other and said, 'Wow'."

The Menai-Davis family said they want to help other parents after the death of their son Hugh

The parents hope that they can create a legacy for Hugh and support others who experience similar hardships.

Mr Menai-Davis said he became emotional when Ms Churchill expressed her support during the second reading of Sir Oliver's private member's bill on 19 January.

"The words [Ms Churchill] said at the end of her speech was [that] it was time to 'create purpose from the pain'.

"I've kept my emotions together for three years since losing Hugh, but I did weep a bit when I was in the lobby," Mr Menai-Davis said.

He added: "I think people aren't just listening to the fact we see a hole in the system.

"I think they're also realising there are two parents that have been through an awful time, and that see such a hole in the system which needs to be changed, that they give everything, and that's what we do."

The proposals put forward by the bill include calls for those eligible to receive a mortgage holiday - which would pause mortgage payments - a council tax reduction and for free travel for carers of terminally-ill children.