A little Ripple and a whole lot of love: Families enjoy first New Year at big-hearted holiday retreat for children with cancer

FOR the past three years the King family have spent Christmas in a hospital ward as brave Agatha battled leukaemia.

This year, all their wishes came true as the seven-year-old celebrated Christmas cancer-free, and in a very special location.

After spending a festive five days at the idyllic Ripple Retreat near Callander, Agatha and her family are relaxed, recharged and ready to face what the New Year will bring.

The spacious £1.5 million facility, run by cancer charity It’s Good To Give, lets young patients and their relatives relax and come together in stunning surroundings.

“Agatha finished her chemotherapy treatment in July so we wanted to do something that focused on us as a family,” said mum Karen, 41.

“We’ve been so disrupted, never knowing if or when she will need to go into hospital, so to have time together as a family is really important to us.”

Since it opened in May on the shores of Loch Venachar, the Ripple Retreat has been an oasis of calm for around 15 families and more are already booked in for 2018.

Up to six family members can stay for five days at a time, free of charge.

The facility boasts a striking wave-shaped roof inspired by its surroundings, three bedrooms, and a huge open-plan kitchen, living and dining space complete with music and play areas.

Outside there’s also a zip-line, pier and musical stepping stones.

Founder Lynne McNicoll, 61, raised more than £1.5m in donations to see her dream become a reality.

“The feedback so far from families has been unbelievable,” said Lynne, whose husband Ian managed the project’s 18-month construction.

“The house is luxurious and has a stunning view but most families talk about the tranquillity and the ability to sit around a table and do things together.

“The dream was to create somewhere for families to spend time together, either during treatment or in the year after, or for bereaved families to get away and spend a few days together.”

The lochside peace and quiet came as a relief to the King family from Cupar, Fife, after Agatha was admitted to the cancer ward at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee just days before Christmas as a precaution after her temperature spiked.

“It’s like the day we never thought would come. You fantasise about this amazing holiday and now it’s finally here,” said Karen. “When Agatha was diagnosed we couldn’t even begin to see six months ahead, so to be doing something fun, enjoyable and relaxing this time of year is a dream come true.

“Life has been pretty full on since her diagnosis so it’s lovely to just switch off and concentrate on having fun.”

Agatha was only four when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February 2015.

At the time, Karen was 16 weeks pregnant with her daughter Meredith, and Agatha’s little brother Bacchus was two.

Agatha started chemotherapy immediately and finally took her last treatment in July.

But because chemotherapy severely weakened her immune system, Agatha was routinely in and out of hospital.

“She’s been in hospital every four to six weeks with a temperature or bug,” said Karen.

“She contracted a fungal infection and was in hospital for six weeks, and then had to go in every day for six months for IV antibiotics. The following year she caught chickenpox and we thought we might lose her.”

Planning a holiday was impossible and the family even struggled to spend time together in their own house.

Karen said: “While they fight like cats and dogs, the three kids really miss each other when Agatha’s away.

“When I was pregnant and she was in hospital for six weeks, someone asked me if we had a name for the baby. I realised Kevin and I had barely been together in the same room long enough to discuss it!

“Right now, everywhere is so busy and we’re constantly fearful of crowds because Agatha is so susceptible to bugs at this time of year.

“Because the Ripple Retreat is so remote it’s nice to not worry about that.”

Founder Lynne is acutely aware of what a cancer diagnosis can bring. She was forced to take a break from the project when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

After eight months of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was given the all-clear but is still affected by thyroid problems.

“It certainly gave me an insight into treatments. I was 58 and I hated it,” said Lynne.

“Every day I thought if I feel this rubbish … kids shouldn’t have to do this. It was so awful but it made me sure I would continue to fund-raise on kids’ behalf.”

While Agatha has spent much of her childhood battling cancer, it hasn’t held her back.

“Apart from becoming frightened of needles she’s taken it in her stride. It’s never got her down,” admitted her mum.

“Because she’s so young, cancer isn’t that dirty word. It’s not scary, it’s just like having the flu – you take medicine, you get better.

“She’ll be able to move on and I think that’s really lovely and positive.

“She’s your typical little girl – she loves crafts, sequins, sparkles and has started drama classes.

“Watching musicals like Hairspray got us through the treatments. Agatha loves the theatre and is destined to be on the stage in one way or another!”

The Ripple Retreat was built entirely through donations, be it money, furniture, building costs and even the land it sits on.

“The support has been incredible,” added Lynne.

The retreat sits in its stunning location thanks to David Ferguson, who donated two acres of land near his home after hearing about the project.

The sleek and stylish building was created by Falkirk Wheel designer Tony Kettle, who also donated his time to the project.

Sunday Post columnist and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly helped launch the centre in May.

She was so impressed with the facility and its purpose that she decided to become a patron.

“It is such a peaceful, relaxing place where families can spend precious time together,” said Lorraine.

“It has been so carefully planned and designed. Lynne and her team have done an incredible job to create a sanctuary that will help so many people going through tough times.”

Visit itsgood2give.co.uk/the-ripple-retreat to donate