Teenager who defied odds of survival features on Cambridge Children’s Hospital hoardings

Exactly one year ago, Evie returned home to Harlow in Essex after over 100 days in hospital. She had spent time in the intensive care and high dependency units at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, then weeks in rehab, relearning how to live well.

Now 14, Evie is full of beans. She loves going to the park, chatting to everyone she meets and – her favourite thing - blowing bubbles. As a mark of just how far she’s come, Evie’s photo is now displayed on the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital hoardings.

“Evie’s incredibly excited by it. She loves having her photo taken – she’s not shy of the camera!" said her mum, Sara.

Images of nine children and young people feature on the 80 metre stretch, opposite the Rosie hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. It runs along the front of site where construction on the East of England’s first specialist children’s hospital is expected to start in Autumn 2026.

This latest milestone for the project follows on from the Outline Business Case being fully signed off by the Secretary of State. Work is now underway to appoint a construction partner, with building work expected to be finished in 2029.

Evie, who has Down’s Syndrome, developed severe respiratory disease – sometimes known as Paraflu - within 48 hours of developing a simple cold. She went downhill quickly. The PANDR service (opens in a new tab) which provides emergency transport for critically ill children rushed her to hospital. So poorly that no one expected her to survive, Evie’s family spent the summer holidays back and forth between home in Essex and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, something mum Sara describes as “traumatic”.

Despite being in a coma, Evie’s physiotherapy started straight away. When she moved into the High Dependency Unit, the therapy became more physical.

Boxing helped get her arms moving, clear her chest and strengthen her core and upper body. After lying down for so long, sitting up and then standing was terrifying for Evie, because she is scared of heights.

Progress was slow. Evie had to relearn everything: how to hold her head up properly; how to sit for an extended period of time; how to go from wheelchair to bench; how to stand and then to walk. Once she could do five steps with a frame, she could go home.

Evie’s rehabilitation took place in the hospital gyms, which were also used by adults. Cambridge Children’s Hospital will have therapy spaces specifically designed for children and young people. There will be outdoor space nearby, giving much-needed opportunities to take a breather in the fresh air. Additionally, the hospital’s holistic approach will support the mental and physical health of all patients and their families.

“It was so painful for Evie and very distressing for us to see her," remembered Sara, "Sometimes you just needed to take a break away from it after you’d done a session. It’s mentally and physically draining for everyone.”

As Evie’s hospital care continued, her mum and dad stayed at Acorn House (opens in a new tab), accommodation for families a stone’s throw from the hospital. This helped them juggle family life, doing three-night shifts on rotation between home and hospital.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital is being developed with the ethos of keeping children ‘closer to home’, getting them back to their local communities as soon as possible. While in hospital, Evie’s parents received training in how to manage her care. They had an overnight stay prior to returning home, just to check they were ready. An occupational therapist visited to ensure everything was in place for a smooth transition.

Sara remembers the neighbours cheering and clapping as Evie was wheeled back to her house. The first few days were a huge readjustment, having to do the medication, feeding and physio that had been done in hospital.

A year on, the only outward sign of Evie’s devastating illness is a nasal tube to help her drink, but even this challenge is getting easier. The teenager is loving being back with her sisters, enjoying school and thriving.

• Read more about Cambridge Children’s Hospital’s unique vision of treating mental and physical health together under one roof, alongside world-leading research Our vision | Cambridge Children's