The families of children affected by a rare condition have joined forces to donate a specialist chair that will provide life changing support at University Hospital in Coventry.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) means the ‘ball and socket’ joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children.

Samantha Gibbs and Dana Quinney, who both have children with DDH, wanted to give something back to say thank you for the treatment their children received from the Paediatric Orthopaedic Department.

They raised funds for a specialist chair to help those in a hip spica cast and aged between eight months and three years to sit up and be fully supported.

This ensures patients feed better, have greater freedom and join in with others.

Sam said: “My daughter Beau’s treatment was an incredibly hard time for us all and Beau was unable to get comfortable and was in constant pain, emotionally and mentally.

“For me this was also incredibly tough but the care and treatment she received at University Hospital was incredible and I wanted to give something back.

“We carried out some fundraising in order to donate a chair to help others who have been in Beau’s position.

“We hope it can make a real difference to children and offer them and their families some support.”

Sam and Dana, both members of the DDH UK group, presented the chair to the hospital alongside Sam’s daughter, Beau.

Giles Pattison, Paediatric Orthopaedic Consultant at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust: “We are delighted to receive this chair and would like to thank the DDH UK group for their fund-raising efforts.

“It is estimated one in six new-borns will have an element of hip instability and two to three in every 1,000 infants will require some form of treatment.

“DDH treatment can vary. Some children’s hips are corrected while wearing a harness but for others surgery and a prolonged period in a spica cast is required.

“This specialist chair will help children with DDH to be as comfortable and have as normal an experience while in hospital as possible.”