Brenda & Omar Simmons

Created on 06/01/2010

Dear Luke & All The Staff At Hotel De La Mer,

Firstly I would like to say thank you for the lovely break you gave us on 3rd October 2009!

Omar was diagnosed with Leukaemia in June 2006 when he was just 6 years old. When being told you child has a life threatening illness it is terrible for the whole family. With Leukaemia it is 3 years treatment for boys, first off they have to have their immune system wiped out and then the first 18 months have intense chemo therapy. The following 18 month stage is maintenance stages which is mainly on a monthly basis.

Omar went through treatment without many problems except viruses and chest problems. In August 2009 Omar finished treatment and is now in remission, which is great but I think when it is all over the shock goes out with the memories of what Omar and the family have gone through.

Omar is doing well now although has a lack of confidence, a small amount of minor health problems and due to missing lots of time off school he has some educational problems.
When given the opportunity to visit your hotel and visit a number of local attractions free of charge it was a dream come true! From the first moment we arrived we were welcomed in to a lovely clean and warm environment. Omar enjoyed coming out and mingling with the other guests and the staff. Everyone was so friendly from the staff who served the food right through to the entertainers. I too had a lovely time relaxing, not having to cook etc. Special thanks to the chef who must have ran out of sausages as this is all Omar ate while staying with you! I put on a few pounds too as the food was so lovely.

Thank you to all the attractions who welcomed us through, in the few days we went to lots of places. I enjoyed the Bygones Museum, Model Village and Paignton Zoo especially. Omar really enjoyed Paignton Zoo, Buckfast Steam Train and Totnes Rare Breeds Farm. The gentleman at Totnes Rare Breeds Farm really helped Omar to build his confidence to hold animals which he had not ever done before!

The whole experience was great and we can not thank you enough!

Kind regards

Brenda & Omar Simmons

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