Why we’re going to help The Butterfly Project take flight

The charity works with youngsters who have been diagnosed with a life limiting condition and provides a wealth of support for both the children and their families.

Since the charity first started in 1996, it has worked with 262 families in Warrington and currently works with 21 families, providing help and advice on a wide range of areas from financial advice to help around the home.

Tim Rhodes, project manager, said: "The point of diagnosis really catapults families into chaos. It threatens their future; all parents have plans for their child's future so it can be devastating.

"We try to provide practical and emotional support to the family. We try to tailor support for a family need."

The Butterfly Project is part of the NCH, the national charity for children, and works in connection with Warrington Primary Care Trust and Warrington Children's Service.

The group has a band of volunteers that give up some of their spare time to help out. Help includes offering families transportation to and from hospital appointments or anywhere else they might need to visit.

Mr Rhodes added: "We offer an ironing service. It may sound trivial but it frees time up for parents to spend time on what matters with their child."

The financial burden for some families is an important and sometimes neglected problem that they have to face when a child is diagnosed with a life limiting condition, such as cancer, muscular dystrophy and severe heart or liver failure.

"The cost of care for a child with a life limiting condition is three times that of a normal child," said Mr Rhodes.

"Sometimes one or both parents have to reduce or even give up their job."

The group also works with charities that provide special experiences for children, no matter how big or small, for the youngsters to get to meet their heroes or do something they have always wanted to do.

Follow us through the course of the year as we highlight the work that The Butterfly Project does.