Bear Cottage is the first children’s hospice in NSW, a place where children and young people with terminal illnesses and their families can stay from time to time and receive rest and medical care in a homelike environment.

Bear Cottage at Manly
Bear Cottage is located on a beautiful sheltered site in the grounds of St Patrick’s Estate Manly, providing quiet surroundings and the nearby attractions of one of Sydney’s traditional holiday destinations. In addition to the palliative care facilities for children, Bear Cottage contains the amenities of a home with 10 children’s bedrooms, family accommodation and recreation areas including a spa room, multi-sensory room, teens’ room and quiet room.

The role of a children’s hospice
Hospices enhance the quality of life of patients with life-limiting illnesses and ensure that the time remaining for patients and their families is as rewarding and relaxing as possible. The needs of a child with a life-limiting illness are different to those of an adult. The emphasis is on family care and respite. As a children’s hospice, Bear Cottage differs from places such as Ronald McDonald House, which provides much needed accommodation near a children’s hospital for families whose children are being treated but does not provide nursing or palliative care. Bear Cottage is staffed around the clock by a skilled care team including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, visiting medical staff and other relevant professionals, to provide palliative care for sick children, while their families have a break.

A state-wide service
Although Bear Cottage is owned and operated by The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, its services are available to families from anywhere in NSW, not just our patients.

Who has helped so far?
Thank you to our community and corporate supporters who have raised over $10 million for the establishment of Bear Cottage. Major donors include Clubs NSW, Lions Clubs of District 201N5 and Radio 2UE Sydney.

Bear Cottage depends on you
Bear Cottage not only affirms the quality of life of our sickest children, it also affirms the quality of life of their families. With anticipated operating costs around $1.5 million each year, we need your continuing support to run Bear Cottage. Gift-giving programs include tax-deductible donations, endowments and bequests to allow corporate, community and individual financial support for the Bear Cottage program. Support can also be given to specified areas within Bear Cottage. Please show that you care, by helping us care for the sickest children in our community. If you would like more information or would like to support Bear Cottage please call the fundraising department at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead on 9845 3367.

In August 1999, at the age of three, our daughter Courtney was diagnosed with multiple tumours in her brain and spine. Her prognosis was not good, so when Bear Cottage was suggested to us by Courtney’s oncologist, we booked in for a week’s break. Living with a terminally ill child and the constant care, attention and medications they need can become physically and emotionally draining. However, compared with most families in our situation we were able to talk and laugh with Courtney and for most of the time she was able to get around by herself. We really only stopped feeling sorry for ourselves after we came to Bear Cottage and saw what other families have to endure. Courtney and her brother and sister were totally spoiled and enjoyed ever minute of it. We were able to go out for dinner for the first time in eighteen months. Our one week holiday was extended to two as none of us wanted to leave. A short time after our first stay, Courtney took a turn for the worse and was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead where she was placed on life support. Three days later when the breathing apparatus was removed, she breathed by herself and was soon able to talk to us. At Courtney’s request, she was transferred to Bear Cottage where it was such a relief to be among the friendly faces which she knew. Sadly, this was only for a couple of days, but when she became ill on the night she died, Bear Cottage was where she wanted to be. Courtney died in our arms that night after having her extreme pain brought under control by the staff. For two or three days after her death, we stayed at Bear Cottage with her. It was of tremendous benefit to be able to say our goodbyes and to be with her whenever we felt the need. It is of great comfort to know that other families who are yet to visit Bear Cottage will no doubt receive the same comfort and support as we did.