TEENAGER Robbie Harvey suffers from muscular dystrophy but he has found a haven of care and new friends at a children’s hospice.

In the week leading up to children’s hospice awareness week, Robbie who lives in Holland-on-Sea, has told of how he looks forward to his visits to Little Havens Children’s Hospice.

Robbie, 13, has been visiting the hospice in Rayleigh for respite breaks since 2007.

He was diagnosed at Colchester General Hospital with muscular dystrophy duchene in 2001 when he was five. The muscles in his body are weak and he has to use a wheelchair to get around.

Robbie, who is in Year Nine at Clacton Coastal Academy, said: “Going to Little Havens gives me some space and free time while my family have a break which is a good thing.

“I have met other children with similar disabilities to me and we normally stay for a teenage weekend where we might go to the cinema, play computer in the games room and watch DVDs with a takeaway. I would never have met these friends unless I went to Little Havens.

“My friends from school have never heard of it, but I tell them it’s like a holiday – I get my own room with a TV, there are loads of games and things to do and the food is great. The gardens are huge too. I have taken part in art projects and one of my paintings is now being turned into a Christmas card for local businesses.

“There’s a buzzer in my room if I need help from the staff who are all really nice. I can also keep up with school work if I visit in term time because Little Haven’s has its own teacher.”

Robbie lives at home with his aunt and uncle, Sarah and Spencer Lee-Lazone, and his cousins.

Sarah, 32, said: “Robbie has such as wonderful time there. It’s comforting to know that he’s being well cared for and enjoying it at the same time.

“As well as the fun stuff, the staff look after his medical needs. It’s important he keeps up with his hydrotherapy and exercise as that keeps his muscles supple. Visiting Little Havens is also educating Robbie about his disability. He talks about it more now and asks questions.

“Many people may think that a children’s hospice is quite a sad place, which it can be at times, but the main sound people will hear as they enter the doors is laughter.

“When I tell friends that Robbie is visiting, their reaction can be one of shock. But I explain that it’s not clinical and is actually a very homely place.

“The majority of people I speak to have heard of Little Havens but I know more could be done in the area to support it and raise money.”

Little Havens Children's Hospice provides respite breaks, symptom control and end-of-life care for youngsters living with serious conditions.

The love and care provided by the team in the homely surroundings is as special and unique as the child. It costs £2.3 million each year to keep the hospice open.

A Little Something for Little Havens is running throughout Children’s Hospice Week from September 19, asking supporters to host a small fundraising event with the focus on having fun.

To find out more information, please call local Little Haven’s community fundraiser, Tricia Norris, on 07891 514205 or visit www.littlehavens.org.uk In ten years, Little Havens has cared for more than 1,000 children and their families from across Essex and parts of London.

Robbie said: “Little Havens is my time; my time to meet with friends, have fun and chill out. I hope that more local people support the charity because without donations from them, children like me wouldn’t be able to go there.”