The family who will spend Christmas in hospital

For many, Christmas is a time when people come together and celebrate.

But for parents Brooke and Corey, it's another day their daughter will spend in hospital.

Ivy-Mae, who is now two, has been in and out of medical care since she was born, and the couple haven't even put out decorations at home.

Instead, Ronald McDonald House, based at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, will be the place where they will try and get into the festive spirit.

''We haven't decorated our house for Christmas,'' said mum Brooke Bonnett, 23.

''We just feel like, if Ivy's going to be in hospital, what's the point?''

Ivy was born with Oesophageal Atresia and Tracheo-oesophageal fistula – rare conditions that affect the food pipe and airway.

As she is cared for, her parents will be at Ronald McDonald House - purpose-built for families to remain close.

This experience is nothing new, as it is also the place they have spent birthdays and Easter.

It has become the norm since Ivy was taken from her mother at just five hours old to prepare her for surgery.

''I was told that her survival rate was no higher than 20%," said Brooke.

''Personally, I didn't think I would come home with my baby girl.''

Fortunately, the surgery was successful, but this only marked the beginning of Ivy's medical journey.

Ronald McDonald House has since become a sanctuary for the family, as it has for many others.

They have a simple hotel-style bedroom, yet Brooke holds back tears as she reflects on the impact it has had.

"This room that we're sat in means more to me than anything,'' she said.

''It was the first ever room we stayed in.

"We hold our dearest memories with our children here.''

It was the first place she stepped foot in after taking Ivy from the neonatal intensive care unit, and she has been in and out of similar rooms since the first stay in 2022.

The facility has made regular hospital trips bearable.

''To others around the world, they're all celebrating Christmas and opening their presents but Ivy will still need her treatment,'' she said.

''But we can come here and she can open her presents just like a normal child and the whole house will be decorated top to bottom.''

It's also means Brooke's family can stay together which is important for their youngest child Willow.

''I'm still able to see my other child because she can stay here with dad and I get to see her as well as being there for Ivy," Brooke added.

''Without the house, I wouldn't see my baby.''

There are other benefits, with parents feeling cared for too, as Brooke said: ''We're so busy looking after our children sometimes we forget to brush our teeth, we forget to shower."

The Cardiff house has been providing support for children and their families for seven years.

It is the only one in Wales, but there are many around the world after being launched 50 years ago by a doctor, baseball player and McDonalds franchise owner in Philadelphia, USA.

House manager in Cardiff Emily Mitchell has a storage cupboard stocked with everyday essentials, arts and crafts materials, and presents ready for Christmas.

''We understand that families aren't thinking about any of these things,'' she said.

''So, we try and do anything we can to give them a breather.

''On Valentine's Day, both parents will get a gift from us. We do Mother's and Father's Day and birthdays for parents and siblings.''

She said while Wales may seem like a small country, the facility in Cardiff is the main children's hospital for the whole nation, and some families travel up to three hours for treatment.

One member of staff, Danielle James, started working as a house assistant after her daughter Harlow waited for open heart surgery in 2022.

''I completely fell in love with the building when I was here," she said.

"It was a safe place.

''It was always clean, welcoming and the staff were amazing.''

She lives in Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf, with partner Cai - a 40 minute drive from the hospital.

''I didn't want him to leave and then they were like 'oh no, he can stay across the road'," she said.

''It was like I could breathe again, we were going to be fine.

"It was a massive, massive weight.''

After her experience, Danielle said: ''I just remember saying 'I don't care what I'm doing there, I just need to work there'."

While she has been helping shower families with gifts and attention recently, Danielle added: ''It's the little things you don't think about when you've got a child in hospital.''

For Brooke, the house will continue to be a regular part of her family's life as Ivy continues to face ongoing medical treatment.

''It's not just four walls," she said.

''It's filled with a lot of love and memories for not just me, probably for many families that have stayed.''