Blake's Story

Meet Blake

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.

The Struggle

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 four 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.

How Louie's Helped

That's when they heard about Louie's. After hearing their situation, Louie's booked and paid for the family's accommodation for the full four months in London, alongside shopping vouchers to help with the everyday cost of being so far from home.

Louie's also travelled down to London to meet the family in person, bringing even more essentials, blankets, nappies, wipes, and a Tonies box, which Blake loved. It wasn't just about the practical support, it was time spent one-to-one, a different face to talk to, and someone there to listen to their worries.

They were the first family Louie's had ever done this for.

Where They Are Now

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