When Zak was born in 2021, life for his parents, Zaynab and Tajul, felt complete. “Everything was perfect, we had two girls and now a boy,” remembers his mum. But at six months old, Zak began losing weight and struggling to feed. Professionals thought his symptoms were down to an infection, but Zaynab felt there was more wrong. “I could see he wasn’t thriving. As a mother, you just know when something isn’t right.”

After months of appointments, a seizure, and further tests at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Zak was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023. “It was a huge shock,” says Zaynab. “No parent ever wants to hear those words.” The tumour was benign but life-threatening, and its effects meant Zak would need long-term support.

That’s when the family was introduced to Little Havens. “I thought it was just end of life care. But for Zak, it meant care and support.” The moment they visited, something changed. “As we came down the entrance and saw the gardens, I fell in love. It just looked like a world of its own.”

Their first overnight stay was transformative, and the family “never wanted to leave.”

“The minute we walk in, we don’t have to worry. Meals are taken care of, and for one day, I can be ‘off duty.’ I had my first proper sleep in three years. It was the best sleep of my life -nothing compares. We even had quality time with our girls.”

Today, Zak is in remission. “Little Havens gave me the chance to realise that having a health condition doesn’t mean the end of everything. With the right support, you can find ways to live with it. If I regret anything, it’s not coming to Little Havens earlier.”

“To the supporters who make donations to Little Havens, we’ve had care, respite, and the chance to make memories with Zak and our girls. We will always want to give back to help others through similar experiences”

To find out more about how you or someone you know would benefit from the care at Little Havens, click here. 

If you would like to donate to Little Havens please click here. 

Published in 2025