The family of a little boy with a rare genetic condition have raised £18,500 for Queen Elizabeth Hospital and nominated staff for an award to thank them for their ‘extraordinary’ care.

Staff on the Safari Children’s Inpatient Ward were named Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trusts Healthcare Heroes at a ceremony this week after being nominated by the family.

Baby Dhian was given a life expectancy of just a few weeks when he was born at the hospital last October, but defied the odds to live for another six months before he passed away in May this year.

Sonia Sankoli, Dhian’s mum, said: “My son, Dhian Hari Singh Sankoli, was diagnosed as having a life limiting genetic condition when he was 10 days old.

"When he was four months’ old, he was admitted to the Safari Children’s ward with bronchitis and we remained there for eight weeks before he sadly passed away.

“The care was extraordinary. He was seen by 22 nurses, and each went the extra mile, often staying late to check we were all ok.

“I always had help for tasks like giving Dhian a bath and so I never felt alone; before long the staff were like an extension of our family.

“Everyone went the extra mile for us – putting us in touch with a local hospice, other families and giving us training on feeding equipment.

“One of the nursing team suggested we put Dhian in a special seat to help with his support and breathing. I cannot tell you how happy this seat made my son; some of my best memories I have of him are sitting in that chair.”

News Shopper:

Left to right: Sandeep Sankoli; Hannah Lawal, Matron of Safari Ward; Veronika Simons, Non Executive Director at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust; Julie Mingay, Senior Staff Nurse, Safari Ward; and Sonia Sankoli

The family have raised £18,500 for a sensory room at the hospital and have arranged a buffet for staff on the ward on December 23, to thank them for their hard work.

Elizabeth Butler, Chair of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said: “Sonia and Sandeep Sankoli are special people and we cannot thank them enough for the support they continue to give to our hard working and dedicated staff.

“Dhian made a lasting impression upon everyone who met him, and the development of a sensory room will be a wonderful legacy to him.”

News Shopper:

Sonia and Sandeep Sankoli presenting a cheque to the Safari Ward.

You can donate to the development of a sensory room at QEH by visiting: www.justgiving.com/lewishamandgreenwich.

Please write “Dhian’s campaign” as a reference to ensure that the money is allocated towards the sensory room development.