Devoted mum is living inside her Skoda in hospital car park so she can be close to her daughter as she awaits lung transplant
Amanda Daintree has transformed her car in a home which is even complete with a camping stove
A DEVOTED mum has transformed the family car into a family home so that she can be near her ill daughter in hospital.
Mum-of-three Amanda Daintree is more than happy to sleep in her car in order to keep her daughter, Nichola, who is awaiting a lung transplant, company.
Nichola has had life-long cystic fibrosis and is currently in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital while she waits.
Amanda, 40, is from Anglesey in Wales, and has set up shop just yards away from Nichola in the hospital's pay and display.
She has added bunting and fairy lights as well as a mattress to make the place feel more homely and has been joined by her son Kieran, 15, daughter Lily, 8, and six-month-old Boston terrier Holly has even made an appearance despite the 208 mile round trip.
The savvy and dedicated mum has even got a one ring camping stove so that she can whip up home-cooked meals.
Amanda said: "It is not easy living like this but I need to be here if anything happens to Nichola and I can't afford to stay in hotels.
"Nichola loves her home-cooked meals and being with her lets me cook them for her to keep her spirits up.
"She's 21 years old but she can't go out and she's very poorly so her illness restricts what she can do.
"We are so far from home so Nichola doesn't get many visitors so it's good that I can bring her family to her instead.
"Last night, I cooked her a chilli and we roasted marshmallows - it took about an hour to do but Nichola enjoys it and that is what is important.
"I don't have a lot of money and it has been almost impossible to work and look after Nichola but I am resourceful and it takes a lot to pay the bills, keep the power on and live here too.
"But I have to do what I have to do and hopefully that can inspire other people to do this for their loved ones in hospital.
"I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I want people to be inspired and to know that they make this work too."
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Nichola, who also has diabetes and auto-immune condition sarcoidosis, was first admitted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool as a youngster.
Amanda used hospital accommodation or a camper van to live in until her daughter was released as a 14-year-old.
But Nichola took a turn for the worse and was admitted to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in January for seven weeks after her lung function plummeted to 15 per cent. She has since been put on the waiting list for a life-saving lung transplant.
And aside from trips back home for Lily's school sports day and Kieran's 15th birthday, Amanda has been alongside Nichola in Liverpool every step of the way.
AMANDA'S DAY WHILE LIVING IN THE CAR
8am - Wake up and eat breakfast of fruit. Make a flask of coffee to last the day on the stove.
Early morning - Wait for Nichola to message to say she is ready once she has been given medicine and had visits from doctors. Once ready, the pair go shopping for fruit and veg.
Noon - The pair have coffee at the car and chat and play games before having lunch.
Afternoon - Nichola has more medication before they head back to the car and walk or play with dog Holly.
Evening - Amanda spends an hour cooking dinner on one-ring stove before going for a walk after food. Nichola returns to the ward for night time medication.
11pm - Amanda finishes her flask of coffee and goes to bed in the car.
Nichola said: "I'm not doing too badly at the moment but I've just had a low function test that showed that my lungs are functioning around 28 per cent so I will be in hospital at least the next two to three weeks.
"It has made a really big difference and it has lifted my spirits and helped me with my eating because I never feel like eating when I'm on my own in the ward.
"What my mum has done with the car is really good and it is a nice place to go to. It's a place where I can go when I want to relax."
Amanda added: "I'm from quite a rural place so it is quite a big culture shock being in a city but it does get quite quiet later on so we can make some food with the one-ring stove or play with Holly.
"I can brush my teeth on the ward when I visit Nichola and a local hotel has let me go in for a shower when I need to.
"It's not easy and I often dream about having a camper van but the car is actually quite cosy now it has the bunting up and the mattress down.
"It really is like a home away from home."
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