Charity strengthens partnership with The Sick Children's Trust to help keep families close to children receiving life-saving treatment at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.
Red Sky Foundation has donated £30,000 to support families staying at Scott House, Newcastle’s ‘Home from Home’ run by The Sick Children’s Trust, helping parents and carers remain close to their seriously ill children during treatment at the Freeman Hospital.
The donation will provide hundreds of nights of accommodation for families whose children are receiving specialist care at the Children’s Heart Unit, easing the emotional and financial pressures of being away from home while a child undergoes major surgery, recovers from treatment or waits for a heart transplant.
Located just minutes from the hospital, Scott House provides much more than somewhere to sleep. It offers a safe and welcoming environment, practical support and a community of families experiencing similar challenges.
For Red Sky Foundation Founder and CEO, Dr Sergio Petrucci MBE (Hon), the donation is particularly personal.
Sergio and his wife Emma stayed at Scott House in 2015 while their daughter Luna underwent life-saving open-heart surgery at the Freeman Hospital. Being able to stay nearby meant they could remain by Luna’s side throughout her treatment, providing invaluable reassurance during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Today, Luna is thriving, and her journey continues to inspire Red Sky Foundation, which Sergio and Emma established following her treatment. The charity has since raised millions of pounds to improve cardiac care, fund specialist equipment, install hundreds of community defibrillators and support babies, children and adults living with heart conditions.
Dr Sergio Petrucci MBE (Hon) said: “Scott House will always hold a very special place in our hearts because it was there for us when we needed it most. Having somewhere warm and welcoming, only moments away from Luna while she underwent major surgery, removed an enormous burden and allowed us to focus on what mattered most – being there for our daughter.
“Scott House is so much more than accommodation. It provides reassurance, comfort, friendship and a sense of normality when everything else feels uncertain.
“We are incredibly proud to make this £30,000 donation and continue building our partnership with The Sick Children’s Trust. We firmly believe charities achieve far more when they work together, and together we can make an even greater difference for families who need us most.”
Red Sky Foundation’s support extends beyond fundraising. The charity provides family support packs, practical items and works closely with the Scott House team to identify additional ways to help. Team members also visit families staying at the house, keeping the charity connected to those it supports.
Ayla Besser, Director of Fundraising at The Sick Children’s Trust, said: “We are enormously grateful to Sergio, Emma and everyone at Red Sky Foundation for this incredible £30,000 donation and their unwavering support for families at Scott House.
“What makes this partnership so special is that it is built on genuine understanding and lived experience. Sergio and Emma know first-hand how important it is to have somewhere safe and welcoming while your child receives specialist treatment.
“Red Sky Foundation has become a true partner to The Sick Children’s Trust. Together, we are helping families stay close to their seriously ill children when they need each other most.”
The Sick Children’s Trust operates ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the UK, enabling families to stay together and close to their child’s bedside during hospital treatment.
Through partnerships like this, Red Sky Foundation and The Sick Children’s Trust are helping families focus on what matters most – being together when they need each other most.
To find out more about the life saving work Red Sky Foundation do visit, redskyfoundation.com