Life in Lockdown for a Plymouth family whose 3 year old is battling cancer

While the rest of us are starting to emerge from lockdown, little Isla and her family are still abiding by the strictest of restrictions - all to keep her safe.

Isla, from Plymouth, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia back in October and was treated in Bristol Children's Hospital. She needed a bone marrow transplant and after several failed attempts, he finally had it but the day the country went into lockdown.

This meant that while Amanda and Isla's dad Dale were able to be with her for the transplant, only one of them was allowed to stay Isla on the ward. Amanda stayed with Isla in Bristol, but in meant weeks away from their son Caben who was in Plymouth with Dale.

Isla even had to have her third birthday in isolation in hospital. Thankfully now she is back home with all her family in Plymouth, but they are on full lockdown relying on family and charities to help support them.

Plymouth children's cancer charity Hugs from Henry is providing hot meals for vulnerable families in lockdown, despite the fact that all its main sources of fundraising have had to stop due to Covid-19. They are sending regular food parcels to Isla's family.

The charity said many families were struggling to get food deliveries and so they'd realised they needed to find new ways to support them. It's inspiration, Henry, who is now more than five years cancer free, is also having to stay on full lockdown. He urged us all to stay inside to keep children like him safe.

For Isla and her family, they are staying in to keep them all safe. And may do so until a vaccine is found. It's a big relief to mum and dad that at least Isla has her brother to keep her company.