The parents of a baby boy who died after his health took a "sudden turn" have thanked those who gave them "extra time" with him.
Paul and Angela Hunter, from Prenton, lost their baby boy Jude when he was just 15 months old. The parents were told their son had a metabolic condition but would need a series of tests to discover which one.
Jude started having up to 15 seizures a day and was fitted with a feeding tube, as well as needing oxygen to help him breathe.
READ MORE: Pub speaks out on 'tragedy beyond words' as woman shot dead
Paul and Angela said: "Jude was adorable, he was just beautiful and we loved and adored him. At a few days old, he started having terrifying seizures that were uncontrollable; sometimes he could have 15 a day. It was tough; we did not have any answers at first.
"After months of testing, we were told that Jude had a condition called D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency. We knew the prognosis was not good and that Jude would need 24-hour care. He regularly needed oxygen, was fed through a tube into his tummy, required numerous medications and his condition affected his eyesight and hearing."
This was when the parents were introduced to Claire House which soon became a sanctuary of love, kindness and support for them and their son.
They added: "Nurses Laura and Kat came to visit us in hospital; they told us all about the hospice and took us to have a look around.
"You imagine it to be clinical and sad but it was not, we fell in love with the place. When Jude was 10 weeks old we were able to take him home from hospital, but it was daunting. As much as we wanted to bring our baby home, we were scared.
"The Claire House team were there to reassure us. We were able to stay at the hospice for a week, knowing that Jude’s care, medications and feeds were our responsibility, but that the nurses were on hand if we needed any support.
"They helped build our confidence so that when we did go home, we were prepared. The nerves were still there but the team at Claire House helped to put us at ease.
"We stayed at the hospice regularly as a family. The staff would always make us feel so welcome and we could relax and just be mum and dad, safe in the knowledge Jude was receiving the best care.
"They involved him in lots of activities, whether he was in the art room creating pictures or making lots of noise in a music session.
"They’d organise trips to Chester Zoo and make keepsakes of Jude’s hand and footprints."
Heartbreakingly, Jude's health took a sudden turn for the worse and he died aged 15 months in May 2019.
However, the parents said Claire House once again helped them and rallied around Paul and Angela.
They said "He passed away at Alder Hey and within hours Shelagh and Sharon from the Claire House Butterfly Team were there to support us.
"They wrapped him in a blanket and Angela cradled him in the car during the journey to the Claire House Butterfly Suite, a room where Jude could rest after he’d passed away.
"It was so special to have that extra time with Jude. We could be there 24 hours a day with music playing and his teddies all around him.
"We always knew the Butterfly Suite was there but we never really knew what it was. It was not until the time came that we realised how special it is. It meant we could have privacy in a lovely tranquil setting, our family could visit and we could sit out in the garden.
"The Butterfly Team took away the worry of having to think or organise anything, they helped to plan Jude’s funeral and we could just spend time with him knowing everything was taken care of.
"Claire House was our sanctuary, our happy place, without them there would have been a void. They helped us create so many treasured memories. The things that seemed small at the time are now so significant. His hands and footprints take centre place on the fridge and it is so nice to look at them every day. Without Claire House, we would not have that.
"Even now, they check in with us to see how we are doing. It is so nice to know that they are always here for us."
To find out how you can help to support families like Jude’s visit clairehouse.org.uk.
