A KIND-HEARTED family stepped in to save a children’s hospice from closure when its water supply failed.

Haven House Children’s Hospice in High Road, Woodford Green suffered a burst mains pipe just days before Christmas and contractors were unable to access the site due to icy roads.

A number of youngsters were using the facilities at the time so chief executive Ian Sparks made an emergency call to friends the Whitelegg family of Horn Lane who gave up their time to relieve the situation.

Rachel, 37, husband Peter, 41 and their two children filled up two containers from their caravan and transported them to the premises along with bottles of drinking water.

Rachel said: “When we got the call we were more than happy to do something to help out.

“We sterilised and filled the barrels we use for camping and then navigated the treacherous roads in our Landrover.

“We didn’t want the hospice to close as it is such a valuable community service and quite a few people were there at the time.”

Mrs Whitelegg also took home laundry and delivered it back the next day.

A spokesman for the hospice said: “Access to the site was severely restricted due to adverse weather and staff were unsure what to do.

“We are so grateful to Rachel and Peter Whitelegg for their assistance which really made a difference to the people that were here.”

Last month Haven House received a �35,000 donation which was used to enhance its play therapy scheme.

The cash from All Saints Church in Inmans Row has seen the employment of a full-time specialist to develop the range of sensory and therapeutic activities for children and young people.