Eastbourne mum of girl with cancer speaks of housing struggle

Lola-Belle, aged 3, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March

The mother of a three-year-old girl with leukaemia has spoken of her frustration after her family were moved six times in eight months.

Hailey, from Eastbourne, and her two children were put into temporary accommodation after a burst pipe flooded their home in Burgess Hill.

Hailey, who cares for Lola-Belle full-time, said her daughter was at risk due to the possibility of infection.

Clarion Housing said it was "working hard" to find a suitable property.

The mum-of-two said they were once forced to move out of a place the day they returned from a two week stay in intensive care.

"As a parent, it's the worst feeling not being in control of a situation," she said, adding that all they want is "to have some stability".

Hailey said a consultant oncologist wrote a letter to Clarion Housing about Lola-Belle's situation

Anita Marinelli, founder children's cancer charity My Shining Star, said the system was "fundamentally broken".

"Many families are plummeted into a very difficult financial situation when their child is diagnosed with cancer, usually with a loss of at least one income amongst having to deal with a very traumatic experience and long hospital stays.

"Hailey has faced all of the above trauma, but to add to this crisis - she then has had to battle for a home to live in."

A Clarion spokesperson said: "We have been working hard to help find a suitable property for [Hailey] in Eastbourne in these challenging circumstances, including liaising with the council, the MP and other local housing associations, as homes of the size needed are scarce in the area.

They said they have identified a three bedroom property in Hailsham they hope meets Hailey's needs.

Hailey told the BBC she has not been contacted by Clarion regarding this property.

An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson said: "As soon as we found out about the tragic circumstances facing the family, we accepted them onto the council's housing register at our discretion and are working with Clarion Housing to do all we can to meet their needs."

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