“They hold the lives of our most precious gifts in their hands and they do so with the gentlest of care”

We were at a football match recently when my teenage son was struck by agonising pain.

Sheffield Children's Hospital. Photo: Google | Google

placeholder image — Sheffield Children's Hospital. Photo: Google | Google

Surrounded by more than 25,000 people engrossed in a pretty poor performance, we managed to make our way out of the stadium to a nearby bench.

I had never seen any of my three children like this - the pain was so extreme he threw up.

I went from being an average football fan to full-on terrified mum mode in the space of minutes.

There were ambulances at the match, as always, but we were told that it would be quicker to get a taxi or lift than wait for one to battle its way through the cordons to us.

Time was of the essence in every possible way.

Full-time was approaching which would mean huge crowds filling the streets and we clearly needed medical help as soon as possible.

I made a desperate call to my husband. He somehow managed to get from home to us and bundle us in the car before the final whistle.

It was fairly late at night, the roads were clear and the sight of that glorious red Victorian corner building was soon in sight.

You only had to take one look at my boy to see there was a serious problem.

We were rushed through A&E, past triage and within less than half an hour, my son was lying on a bed with doctors at his side.

He needed surgery. He needed an operation within three hours to avoid irreversible damage. Three hours!

This was completely out of the blue and I thank my lucky stars that we hadn't ever experienced anything like this with his older brother or sister.

Here was our littlest - I admit he is already over 6ft at the tender age of 14 but they're always our babies - needing the help of the Children's Hospital like I had never imagined our family ever would.

Sheffeld Children’s Hospital | Local Library

That's the point isn't it? It is there when we are at our lowest, it saves the youngest of lives and it calms mums’ nerves like nothing else.

We have one of just four specialist children's hospitals right in the heart of our city and it is a blessing that most of us take for granted.

There is a relief that hits every parent as you first step through the door knowing that, whatever the health issue your child is struggling with, you are in the best place.

There are families who spend days, weeks, months on those colourful wards.

It is set up with love - I slept in a bed right next to my son's, I was able to make drinks or enjoy a Food Works meal on the ward, we were even given a kids' novel to take home.

There are teachers based there, performers, magicians - and that's without even mentioning the medics and the miracles they performIt doesn't really feel like a hospital, completely by design.

The genius staff don't just talk over children's heads - they explain absolutely everything in language that can be understood.

They are also happy to have a conversation about why mascot Theo the bear isn't available right at that moment to say hello, and that he is probably busy in the basement.

They do what is needed in that moment, no matter how exhausted they feel. They hold the lives of our most precious gifts in their hands and they do so with the gentlest of care.

They also stay true to a vision that hasn't changed in 150 years.

The Children’s was born on November 15, 1876, from the determination of the people of Sheffield to create a hospital dedicated to children.

How things have progressed since the Steel City was blessed with this hospital.

The improvements in medicine, the advancements in surgery and the increase in life expectancy are almost beyond belief.

I'm sure the three founders - architect J.D. Webster, doctor William J. Cleaver and solicitor Henry Vickers - never imagined a day when their cause would be supported by an invasion of rainbow lions but here we are.

I love the lions that have popped up all over South Yorkshire.

They are beautiful, they are fun and they are for the most incredible cause.

They have crouched beneath black plastic wrapping for a while and today they have been set free. What a glorious sight.

Remember why the Pride of Yorkshire is here whenever you see a lion, give your thanks for our children's hospital and whatever donation you can spare to their fabulous charity team.

My son had his operation within three hours. He's back as rudely healthy as ever now and, although the thought of that night still makes me want to cry, we've all moved on.

All the expertise, surgery and care was free of charge at the point of need.

His story stands as just one personal illustration not only of how incredible our NHS remains, but why we must always defend what truly matters.