A Gerrards Cross mother is urging people to donate to a hospice charity for Mother’s Day, which has helped her two disabled sons for the past four years.

Shailza Leaver lives with her husband Daniel and her children – five-year-old son Riley and four-year-old Stanley – who were both born with a duplication of the x-chromosome which has left them severely disabled.

The family has been going to Helen and Douglas House for respite care for four years and Shailza took part in the charity’s China Trek last autumn, raising £3,730.

Speaking about being a mum to her boys and what Mother’s Day means to her, she said: “Every single day for me is Mother’s Day.

“But it’s a day when I get treated a little differently by my husband and my kids. Riley and Stanley with their eyes tell their daddy to do some nice things for me and I get a really nice handmade card from the school.

“They always make a very beautiful card for me, and that is the best gift I get. I don’t want anything else but a card – and my boys’ cuddles of course.

“Mother’s Day is a normal day as we have to keep to a routine with the boys’ condition. Our Mother’s Day starts with medicines and it ends with medicines.

“In between there might be seizures, illness or rushing to hospital or calling the ambulance on Mother’s Day.

“Often our plans for Mother’s Day do not happen as I do not know what the day will be like.”

She added: “Riley and Stanley are two handsome boys and I love them to bits. When I first had them, I never knew I was a carrier of the lethal condition which would affect my children the way it has done. “I always look forward to my stay at Helen & Douglas House because I know my boys are going to be well looked after to my standards.

“I can have a break, sit on the sofa, cuddle my babies, and be a mum not a carer. The staff are great and have really bonded with the boys.

“The boys love the magic carpet, sensory room and the therapy pool – all things they cannot do at home.”

Hazel Bedford from Helen & Douglas House said: “We could like to celebrate Mother’s Day by asking people to help amazing mothers like Shailza who have children who come to Helen & Douglas House for care.” and support through respite care, or bereavement counselling after their child has died.

“However we cannot offer this vital support without your help as it costs £3m a year. By making a donation to our Mother’s Day Appeal you could make an enormous difference to the life of a local family.”

To donate, visit www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/support-us/donate or call 01865 799150.