Louis’ story

Team Louis take on Cardiff Half Marathon for the Noah’s Ark Charity!

On Sunday October 5, 340 incredible runners will lace up their trainers to take on the Cardiff Half Marathon in support of the Noah’s Ark Charity. Many of them will be running in celebration of their children and as a way of giving back for the life-saving care they have received at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.  Among them is Team Louis , a dedicated group of family and friends running in honour of little Louis, led by his mum, Lauren, and dad, Mike. Together, they have already raised an amazing £4,243 for the charity.

Lauren explains their motivation simply: “It’s all for Louis. Without everyone at Noah’s Ark, Louis wouldn’t be here.”

Last August bank holiday, when Louis was just four and a half months old, he suffered a horrific accident, rolling from the bed and fracturing his skull.

Lauren said: “To this day it was the most horrific cry I ever heard. Louis started to get really sleepy and lethargic. We decided to rush him to the nearest A&E in Cardiff as we were at my in laws instead of our local A&E in Bridgend. If we had gone to our local hospital, Louis may not be here.”

On arrival, Louis was quickly moved into resus as his condition deteriorated. He had suffered a bleed on the brain, became unresponsive, and required an emergency craniotomy to relieve the swelling.

“All of a sudden people just kept piling into the room. I had never seen so many people in one place. It was truly terrifying, but they were all there to work their magic,” said Lauren.

Louis spent a week on the paediatric critical care unit. During his recovery, he suffered a seizure lasting an hour and 20 minutes. Lauren and Mike describe that time as “the worst week of our lives” but are forever grateful for the team who cared not only for Louis but also for them as parents.

“The staff were absolutely amazing. No amount of money we could raise would be enough to thank them for everything they did for Louis and for us. They made us smile in our darkest time, and we knew he was in the very best hands.”

Thanks to donations make by people like you, Lauren and Mike were given psychological support to help them process their traumatic experience through Noah’s Ark Charity funded PCCU psychologist, Llinos. Lauren said: “Llinos was absolutely amazing, we honestly would have been lost without her. The sessions, both joint and individual, were so valuable. She helped us work through our feelings and offered so much reassurance.”

Now 18 months old, Louis is thriving. Lauren said: “He’s a whirlwind, so chatty! He does have a slight weakness on his left side and continues with physio, but his team are confident this will resolve itself. He’s hitting milestones and recovering so well, considering his injuries.”