For many children undergoing cancer treatment, central lines and medical tubes are a vital part of their care. But they also come with a big restriction; they can’t get wet. ​ That means no baths, no paddling pools in the summer, no splashing with siblings, and no dip in the sea. Everyday childhood moments that most families take for granted suddenly become off limits. Dry suits change that. ​ These specially designed suits keep central venous lines safe and dry, allowing children to enjoy water again, whether that’s a warm bubble bath, a play in the paddling pool, or splashing in the sea. They give children back comfort, fun, freedom, and a sense of normality during treatment. ​

A central venous line (such as a Hickman line) is a special tube that goes into a large vein near the heart. It helps children receive treatment and have blood tests without repeated needles. Because the line enters the body, it’s essential it stays dry to avoid infection, which is why dry suits are so important.

Dry suits are usually custom-made and can cost up to £350, depending on size and adjustments needed. This cost can put them out of reach for many families, which is why we are proud to fund dry suits for children who need them. ​ A dry suit may seem like a small thing, but for a child and their family, it can bring comfort, joy, and special memories at a time when they matter most.

All of our bespoke dry suits are manufactured by Hammond Drysuits, a UK company with many years of experience producing high-quality dry suits. They work closely with us to create each suit to the child's individual measurements, ensuring the best possible fit and comfort. We are incredibly grateful that Hammond Drysuits generously offers The Isabel Baker Foundation a discounted rate, allowing us to help more families experience the freedom and joy of getting back in the water safely.

We understand that children with many different medical conditions may benefit from a dry suit, and we wish we were in a position to help every family who contacts us. ​ However, as a small charity with limited resources, our charitable objectives mean we can only provide funding for dry suits to children who have been diagnosed with cancer. ​ We know this may be disappointing for families who are facing other serious health challenges, and we are truly sorry that we cannot support everyone directly. ​ If your child has a central line but does not have a cancer diagnosis, we would encourage you to contact Face Everything And Rise (F.E.A.R.), who may be able to help through their dry suit loan scheme. ​ Thank you for your understanding.

If your child only needs a dry suit for a short period of time, F.E.A.R may be able to provide a loan suit instead. To enquire, please email Kim at: kim@faceeverything.co.uk Loan suits can be a wonderful option for some families and help ensure that as many children as possible are able to safely access the water during treatment.

If you would like to enquire about a funded made-to-measure dry suit for your child, please email us at hello@theisabelbakerfoundation.com with a little information about your child and why you are requesting a dry suit. If you have a Young Lives vs Cancer social worker, please also include their details within your enquiry. ​ We understand that every family’s situation is different, so please do not worry about writing anything formal, we are always happy to have a chat and will do our best to help wherever we can. ​ Please note, we are only able to fund dry suits for families living in the U.K. for families living outside of the U.K we recommend you contact Hammond Dry Suit directly. ​ We will aim to respond within 3 working days.

If you have a dry suit that your child no longer needs and would like to pass it on, we work closely with Face Everything and Rise (F.E.A.R), who lovingly rehome and loan dry suits to other families To donate a dry suit, please email Kim at kim@faceeverything.co.uk