Blake's Story

Blake was born at Sunderland Royal Hospital on 1st January 2025. Just days after her parents brought her home, she was admitted to the Great North Children's Hospital, and at a week old was diagnosed with Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction, a rare condition where the nerves and muscles in the bowel don't work properly. She needed a feeding tube, a stoma, and a line just to be fed.

After three and a half months, Blake needed more specialist care and was transferred to Great Ormond Street in London. In Newcastle, her parents could travel back and forth and alternate who stayed overnight but London was too far. With only one parent allowed on the ward at a time, they would have had to pay for accommodation for the full 4 months Blake was expected to stay, which they couldn't afford while on reduced maternity income. They desperately wanted to be there for Blake, and for each other.

That's when they heard about Louie's. After hearing their situation, Louie's stepped in to secure accommodation from their very first day in London, covering travel to and from the hospital and providing essential items and vouchers. They were the first family Louie's had ever done this for.

Blake is now home, doing well, and finally enjoying family life after spending her first 8 months in hospital. Her parents remain deeply grateful for the support that got them here.