A GRATEFUL father has praised hospice staff for the way they supported his family during the last days of his baby son’s life.

Marshall Roberts, from Stanley, County Durham, paid tribute to the staff who run the St Oswald’s Children and Young Adults Service in Newcastle for the care they provided to his son James.

James came to St Oswald’s when his parents were told he only had one week left to live, when he was aged just seven months.

He stayed at St Oswald’s for just over a month, with his parents and sometimes his sisters Sophie, six, and Lily, four, and brother Daniel, eight.

Mr Roberts said: “When we first arrived at St Oswald’s I soon realised how warm and caring it was and everyone was so nice. The care they gave not only to James, but to me, and my three other children was just brilliant. They supported us as a family. They made our time there very special and helped us feel right at home.

"It was approaching Christmas so we helped put up the Christmas trees and James got to see Santa, which was a very special moment and I’ll always remember it.

“When James died it is was an extremely difficult time for us all but the staff were on hand to help in any way they could.”

Carole Dixon, service manager said: “As well as providing specialist medical care, we aim to make every moment the child and their family spends with us as happy and comfortable as possible.”

Children's Hospice Week runs from May 11 to 17 and is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness and funds for children's hospices throughout the country.