LYN JONES and Tony Langan, from West Derby, lost their four-year-old son, Harvey, in March, and wished they had come to Claire House sooner.

The couple first visited the hospice in November, 2009, and want to encourage other parents of ill children to benefit from the Wirral centre.

Laboratory supervisor at Liverpool Dental Hospital Ms Jones, 36, said: “We were wary of coming to a hospice, because you think it is where you go to die, but this just isn’t true.

“It is such a happy place, and Harvey absolutely loved it here. He called it Claire’s House – it was like he was going to see a friend.”

The couple now do fundraising work for the charity and still visit the hospice regularly.

Harvey passed away at Alder Hey, and was brought to Claire House’s butterfly suite afterwards, before his funeral.

He suffered from a rare metabolic condition called peroxisome biogenisis disorder, and needed around-the-clock care.

Mr Langan said: “It is a life saver this place, it is so important. It made such a difference for us and so many other families.

“It is not just for people on the Wirral but across the region, and it needs support.”

FOR details on how to fundraise, donate or volunteer, log on to http://www.claire- house.org.uk/ or call 0151 343 0883