A MUM whose debilitating illness meant she could no longer take her children to school was overwhelmed by the compassion of the teachers who went above and beyond to help her family.

After Lisa Barrett’s operation at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital to treat a rare bladder dysfunction saw her unable to drive and struggling to walk, she faced being fined for not taking her three children, 11-year-old Kaden, nine-year-old Ellis and six-year-old Ruby to school.

But when Moredon Primary School headteacher Claire Leach and deputy headteacher and special educational needs co-ordinator Helen Wollington realised how the family were struggling, they agreed to collect the youngsters from home and return them each day.

“They literally have saved my little family,” said 33-year-old Lisa, who lives at Ridgeway Farm. “They both had empathy and kindness that I will never forget.

“Even though they have really busy schedules they still found the time to help us in and outside the school.”

Lisa’s condition causes chronic kidney infections which regularly require hospitalisation, something which has particularly affected little Ellis, who is Lisa’s carer at the age of just nine.

“He has really struggled and had episodes where he doesn’t want to go to school because he’s afraid I won’t be there when he gets home,” said Lisa.

Her latest operation — the third — saw doctors install a pacemaker in the muscle and nerves which allows the bladder to work. Depressed and anxious, and unable to pay for daily taxis to take the children to school, Lisa, who cannot work because of her condition, contacted the council but was denied temporary transport for the youngsters while she was receiving treatment.

“I became more depressed and worried how my children was going to get to school,” she said.

“I wanted them to go to school so they had a break from the worry and stress my condition has caused our family, and I was worried I would be fined if the kids didn’t attend.

“After breaking down at the school Mrs Leach and Mrs Wollington both came to my house and explained that they would help us by personally coming to my house every morning and afternoon so my children did not have to miss school.

“Both Mrs Leach and Mrs Wollington have looked out for the children and helped them when they were upset and worried by arranging for them to see a counsellor and join a great young carers group, where my children can meet other children in the same position caring for there parents, and also for them to have some fun away from the house.

“I just want to say thank you for all they have done.”