Colleen Pugh, of Blackburn, was just 14 years old when she first visited Derian House.
Colleen, now 34, visited the hospice between 2002 and 2014 and has a lot of good memories of that time.
She said: “I was very shy when I first started visiting Derian. I remember being very nervous but I was made to feel very welcome by all the staff.
“I was surprised at how bright and colourful Derian is and how it didn’t feel like I thought it would. Over the years that I went there it became my safe place I loved going for respite and seeing everyone.
“I have a lot of special memories of Derian. One of my favourites was going to the Chill Factore – it was lots of fun. Another favourite memory was going to the Calvert Trust in Kielder Forest. This was the first time I went on a zip wire.
“I also got to go to Tenerife on holiday we had a great time. Another time we got to meet some of the cast of Hollyoaks and see behind the scenes – that was a really good day.
“I always loved going to Derian around Christmas seeing the tree all lit up and doing arts and crafts. I also enjoyed the fancy dress parties.
“It’s wonderful that Derian House is turning 30 and still helping children, young people and their families. It was a big part of my life the staff supported me in so many ways through lots of different things and I’m so thankful I was able to go there for so many years.”
