Four-year-old Angel, from Beerwah, is a regular visitor to
the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Children’s ward. In 2018, she was
admitted more than 15 times.

She was born blind, autistic and suffers ongoing bowel
issues. But it doesn’t stop her smiling.

The happy little girl was admitted to the Children’s
Intensive Care Unit late last year, leaving her Grandmother, Anna, worried and
unable to return to their home in Beerwah.

“I would never go too far from the Hospital, so returning
home to sleep while Angel was in the ICU was not an option.

“When I left for the hospital, this time, I packed a pillow
and blanket and planned to sleep in my car in the hospital car park. That way,
I’d only be a few minutes away from Angel.

“The Unit Manager asked what my plans were for the night. I
told her I was going to sleep in my car. She said no.

Instead, Anna was shown to the Parents Retreat on the
Children’s Ward – an apartment-style area within the ward that allows families
to get some sleep in a comfortable space.

“The Parents Retreat was a godsend. It has a kitchenette,
comfortable double beds, lounge area, television and a laundry. Proper sleep
and clean clothes can make a huge difference during a tough time,” said Anna.

Fortunately, Anna accepted the offer of a night in the Parents
Retreat.

“I got a call very late at night that Angel had woken and
was distressed. Thanks to the accommodation facility, I was just a few minutes
away and could help her very quickly,” Anna said.

Wishlist funded the fit out of two Parents’ Retreats located
in the neonatal and children's wards, thanks to funds raised at the 2015
Wishlist Spring Carnival.

Last year, the Spring Carnival raised funds to help build
The House The Coast Built – an affordable accommodation facility within walking
distance to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for families with loved-ones
undergoing treatment.

Wishlist CEO, Lisa Rowe, said Anna and Angel’s story is a
common one.

"These rooms provide the most ideal environment for
families to relax and retreat from the clinical environment of the children's
ward while still being in close to their bed-bound child. However, we know that
there is need for more accommodation like this.

“Construction on the house began 5 February thanks to the
generous Sunshine Coast community.

“As well as money raised from the 2018 92.7 MIXFM’s Give Me
5 For Kids campaign and the Wishlist Spring Carnival, we’ve had more than 30
local businesses’ put their hand up to donate time and services to help Ausmar
Homes build a home away from home for families doing it tough.

“Once complete, the home will feature six bedroom and
bathroom and be designed to accommodate as many families as possible.

“Our goal is to keep families, like Anna and Angel, together
at a time when family love and support is needed most,” Ms Rowe Said.

In the first 12 months of opening, the Sunshine Coast
University Hospital treated 1089 paediatric patients who lived more than 50km
from the hospital.

Another 340 mums who lived outside our region were
transported to our state-of-the-art maternity unit to deliver their babies –
often pre-term.

In 2018, the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit alone treated
over 40 children from outside the Sunshine Coast region, many from Central
Queensland. Another 42 were treated from area around Gympie, Noosa and Melany.

To help, head to thehousethecoastbuilt.org and purchase a house-hold item for the home, or visit https://www.giving.wishlist.org.au/donate and select "The Hose The Coast Built" from the drop-down menu.