The parent of a child who was cared for at Nascot Lawn has joined forces with The Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP), a coalition of 60 charities, to deliver a petition to Downing Street.
Nikki Lancaster’s son Lennon, who died last August, joined other campaigners calling on the government to increase funding for short break services.
She was part of the campaign against the closure of the centre for children with severe disabilities. Earlier this year, the High Court overturned a decision from the Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) to stop funding the service which would have led to its closure.
Nikki explained why she felt it was important to support the petition.
She said: “I have been part of a group of parents fighting the closure of Nascot Lawn respite care centre for almost a year. My son Lennon spent many happy times at Nascot Lawn, being cared for with incredible expertise.
“Centres like Nascot allow families a short break so we can look after our children the best we can when they are at home. The devastation to children and families caused by closures of short breaks services cannot be overstated. That’s why we are today urging the government to step in to save them.”
The DCP petition had received over 3,780 signatures and campaign manager Stephen Kingdom said short break services were crucial.
He exolained: “It should not take parents fighting in the courts to keep short breaks services going. Short breaks are essential to help families with disabled children continue to care for them at home. It’s unforgivable that these essential services are under threat across the country.
“Thousands of parents have joined together to sign this petition to say enough is enough, we need the government to step in to save short breaks services.”
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