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Bear Cottage Flood Appeal

Bear Cottage is the only children's hospice in NSW, one of two in Australia and has experienced severe flooding resulting in temporary closure .

Bear Cottage sits directly below St Patrick's College Estate. At 6.45am on Tuesday 18 May, after constant rain, a wall of water came over the retaining wall and through the lounge room and spread through the entire house.

The flood damage is so extensive that Bear Cottage has had to close temporarily resulting in the children and their families to be evacuated. Two patients, one who was recovering from a liver transplant, had to be moved to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Bear Cottage provides support, respite and end of life care for terminally ill children and their families. Located on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Bear Cottage is a medically supported home away from home.

Bear Cottage relies solely on community donations to meet the $2.3 million operating costs each year. The flood has caused widespread damage which is devastating for The Cottage as this will only add to the already existing financial strain.

Children and families who have been booked in for respite care in the next week will need to be cancelled. Another component of the service charter at Bear Cottage is end of life care. Bear Cottage are hoping a family will not require care for their child's final hours until the damage is fixed.

At Bear Cottage our sickest children find love, care, laughter, fun and support. This holistic approach is achieved through regular respite, specialised camps, end-of-life care, bereavement support and much more.

Bear Cottage is there for every child, parent, or family who needs us and they will never have to pay a cent. But there is a cost. It's currently costs more then $2.3 million a year to keep our doors open and this is raised entirely through the community.

Bear Cottage desperately needs your support in their recovery efforts. Not only will much needed funds ensure faster repairs, it will ensure Bear Cottage can continue to support our sickest children and their families.