
#ForTheChildren like Isabella
Isabella, known to her family as Bella, was diagnosed with a life-limiting heart condition at three months old. As well as having two holes in her heart, Bella survived meningitis as a baby, and was later diagnosed with a rare, incurable chromosome disorder preventing her from walking, eating orally, or communicating verbally.
At nine months old the family were introduced to Little Havens Children's Hospice in Benfleet. They supported the family with regular respite care, support and symptom management for 15 years.
In August 2021 Bella went into hospital with a urine infection and quickly deteriorated. The family did not want Bella to die in a clinical environment so they were moved to Little Havens Children’s Hospice for end of life care.
“When your child has such complex needs, you don’t realise how much time you spend being a carer rather than a mum. In the final nine days at Little Havens all I needed to focus on was spending time with Bella, making memories and being her mum."

With Morrisons’ support, Together for Short Lives will be there for many more families caring for a seriously ill child like Isabella’s. Find out more about our partnership with Together for Short Lives and learn more about what children’s hospices are really like through the Rainbows hospice tour.