It was the first children's hospice in the world - now more than forty have sprung up helping thousands of children.

In a week-long special, Fran Bardsley speaks to staff, children, and families whose lives have been touched by the work of Helen House.

It takes more than a handful of nurses and a few doctors to provide round-the-clock care for the children of Helen and Douglas House.

The pioneering hospice, founded by Sister Frances Dominica, is run by a total of 150 paid staff - backed up by 294 regular volunteers.

At the heart of the hospice is Sister Frances, a qualified children's nurse and a member of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor.

She said: "Fundamentally it is about friendship and practical help.

"When I used to interview people for jobs here the most important things were the personalities. They had to be real human beings that were prepared to always learn from the families."

While Sister Frances was never a clinical member of staff, she has always had a hands-on role.

She said: "Sometimes the night nurses would call me at 3am and I would pad down the stairs in my dressing gown and slippers from the convent because they wanted reassurance.

"I keep up with some of the families. I had coffee this morning with a mother whose little girl died a little while back simply because it is about friendship."

Although Helen House has just eight beds and Douglas House seven, because of the nature of the respite care offered, up to 300 families are being helped at any one time.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have been cared for by the staff of Helen and Douglas House.

Most of them have died and Sister Frances said it does take its toll on the hospice team.

She said: "I would rather be there beside them than watching from a distance.

"You do feel something but it is infinitesimal by comparison to the pain they feel.

"If you didn't become emotionally involved you shouldn't be doing the job at all. But you have to know how to cope with the emotional involvement and how to look after yourself.

"There are tears definitely but that is nothing to be ashamed of."

Staff support is provided and debriefing sessions are held after a child dies.

Among those who understand best the importance of the staff at Helen and Douglas House are nurse Rachel Griffith and her husband Pete, a photographer.

Two of their children, Misha and Natalie, died of Batten Disease and were cared for at Helen House.

They have two healthy children, Sophie, seven, and Zak, five.

Mrs Griffith said: "It is a moving, positive place to work, and it is very much a privilege to work here.

Mr Griffith added: "There is no way we could ever repay what Helen House has done for us so this is one way we can give a little bit back, using our professional skills.

"Helen House was the light at the end of the tunnel for us when everything else seemed really dark."