For 14-year-old Declan Hall, the devastating news that his four-year-old sister Holly had cancer was only the beginning of a painful ordeal. As his family grappled with the diagnosis, Declan faced cruel taunts at school, where classmates told him his sister was going to die. His escape from this trauma came through an unexpected source: the immersive world of virtual reality provided by the charity Lifelites.
A Family's World Turned Upside Down
The Hall family's nightmare began in 2025, returning from a holiday in Majorca when young Holly developed a rash and fell ill. Initially treated with antibiotics, her condition worsened. After urgent blood tests, she was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where she was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic leukaemia. Treatment started immediately with a bone marrow lumbar puncture and chemotherapy.
Mum Toni Hall, 40, from Northwich, described the shattering moment. "To be told your child has leukaemia is devastating," she said. She delayed telling Holly, Declan, and her other daughter Olivia, 12, for three weeks, until a hospital support worker advised her that Holly needed to understand what was happening to her body.
When Toni finally broke the news, Holly's innocent response was heartbreaking. "She said: 'I've got cancer?'... Then she just asked: 'Can I still do my colouring with cancer?'" Toni recalled. For Declan, the news brought floods of tears, followed by the harsh reality of bullying at school.
Finding Solace in a Virtual World
Six months into Holly's treatment, the family was introduced to The Joshua Tree Cancer Centre in Northwich, Cheshire. This charity provides emotional and wellbeing support for families affected by childhood cancer. It was here that Declan discovered the Oculus 3 Virtual Reality headset supplied by Lifelites.
"Coming to The Joshua Tree has been such a help," Declan said. "Being able to talk about my struggles and emotions around Holly being sick and to be able to use the VR technology has really made a difference." He found particular joy in games like Beat Sabre and exploring virtual rainforests, which offered a crucial respite from his worries.
The technology became a vital social tool, helping him connect with other siblings going through similar experiences. For Holly, who was vulnerable to infection and often isolated, the centre and its tech, like colourful Cosmo Switches, allowed her to play safely and make friends.
The Vital Role of Lifelites Technology
Lifelites is the only UK charity dedicated to providing assistive and sensory technology for children with life-limiting conditions. It partners with 65 children's hospices and palliative care services across the UK and Ireland. Among the tech it supplies are the Oculus VR, the Magic Carpet, and Eyegaze, which allows control of a device using only eye movements.
However, its reach is still limited. Of the 100,000 children in the UK with life-limiting conditions, only 15,000 currently have access to Lifelites' technology, leaving 85,000 without.
Rob Lightfoot, CEO of Lifelites, said: "Declan's experience shows just how vital our technology is for the whole family. It enables children to escape, have some respite and bond with their siblings."
Toni Hall emphasised the profound impact on her son. "He's been through a lot... When he was introduced to the tech it was an escape and a place for him to meet other siblings going through the same thing."
The family's journey has had a hopeful turn. Holly is now cancer-free, though her immune system remains weakened by chemotherapy. The family plans to celebrate her victory by ringing a bell at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. Toni has retrained as a talking therapist and Samaritan, reevaluating her life after the family's ordeal.
She urges support for Lifelites, so more children like Holly and Declan can "escape what is going on in the real world and have the opportunity to access the technology that brings joy and connection."
