Children with life-limiting conditions and their families were thrown a party ‘of epic proportions’ in Hylands Park.

The party was for children who use Little Havens Hospice and the home respite service Essex Palliative Integrated Care (EPIC) Children’s Respite Service, to give families some time in the sun.

Hope Reynolds, two, of Hillary Close, Heybridge, was at the EPIC party, held on July 28, for the first time, with her brother Louie, nine, and parents Amanda, 28, and Ralph, 33.

Hope has a number of conditions and has been going to Little Havens for a year after a community nurse referred the family.

Amanda said: “They look forward to going, they start jumping around with excitement.

“We have only been a couple of times.

“We’d like to go more but there are a lot of children in our situation and everyone has to have a go.”