A seriously ill mum of four who is battling a rare form of leukaemia has been able to spend precious time with her family on a short city break thanks to a national charity.

Charlotte Taylor from Bishopsteignton was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at the beginning of July. She has since endured three long hospital stays and treatment has taken a toll on her physical and emotional health especially as her leukaemia is chemo-resistant.

After battling through months of gruelling treatment, the Willow Foundation, which provides special experiences to enable seriously ill young adults to spend quality time with the people who matter most, arranged a special break in London so Charlotte could enjoy a special break and reconnect with her family.

‘We had the most incredible time. It was exactly what we needed, a time filled with laughter, love and memories we will cherish forever,’ Charlotte said.

‘It gave us some normality, which I had not felt in a long time,’ she added. ‘I was overwhelmed with love. Being able to be a normal family again and being able to forget about my illness helped us make memories that will last a lifetime.’

The chance to spend time with her loved ones was particularly important as some of Charlotte’s treatment saw her confined to a ventilated room in hospital where anyone entering had to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimise the risk of infection.

Charlotte’s diagnosis has completely changed her daily life and has had a huge impact on her family. She is a wife and mum of four and, since being diagnosed, the whole family’s life has been flipped upside down.

Her husband, Sam, has had to stop his self-employed offshore job to support Charlotte through her treatment and care for their four children: Boe, Bear and twins River and Remi.

Sam was about to leave for a six-week job in Australia when Charlotte was diagnosed but opted to stay at home to be there for Charlotte and provide stability for the children.

The financial impact of Sam not working has been eased through the generosity of those who have donated to a GoFundMe page set up by Sam’s sister Chelsey Lawson. The page has raised £16,000 so far and the money is being used to cover household bills and day-to-day living expenses.

Unfortunately, a previous health scare involving a lump in Charlotte’s breast affected the family’s critical illness insurance and left them without cover in the event of a serious diagnosis like leukaemia.

Charlotte and her family have been ‘completely overwhelmed’ by the support they received from the wider community. In addition to the GoFundMe page, friends and family organised other fundraising events to support them.

Every message of love, encouragement and positivity has given Charlotte strength during a challenging time, Chelsey said after launching the fundraiser in July.

The future remains uncertain as Charlotte prepares to undergo a new treatment plan and the special break provided by Willow came at an important moment before Charlotte undergoes a stem cell transplant.