LITTLE Louie Wood has a team of fund-raising warriors on his side.
Louie, from Mapplewell, was born prematurely at 28 weeks in 2016 and weighed just 2lbs.
Since he was born, he’s had 11 blood transfusions and after four months spent in three different hospitals, but was finally allowed home on 24-hour-a-day oxygen.
He turned two last month. A few days before his second birthday, his family were told it is unlikely he will ever be able to hold his own head up, crawl, sit, stand or walk unaided. He has been diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia which has affected his physical and mental development.
Now, Tom Lowe - Louie’s mum’s cousin - has rallied friends and family in an effort to raise as much money as possible to help Louie in further life.
Tom, who works as a farmer at Cannon Hall Farm, will be taking on a Total Warrior 12k run on June 23 to try and help Louie’s family raise enough cash to get him the specialist equipment he needs.
Their initial target was £400, but after surpassing that they now hope to double it.
It will all go towards support equipment, sensory aids, the construction of a downstairs wet room, a physiotherapy and bedroom space and space for movement too.
Tom, 24, from Church Hill, Royston, said: “Louie is my cousin’s little lad and I see him usually once a week when we go out for dinner as a family. He is not like a usual baby and only likes certain people because of his condition. Outside of his mum and dad, grandma and granddad, I’m the next one he seems to get along with.
“We have a good relationship and it means everything to me to be able to try and work as a family to get him what he needs.”
The Total Warrior sees Tom and his group face a series of obstacles on their challenge to complete the run at Leeds’ Bramham Park.
They will be taking on ice baths, fire pits, electric shocks and more.
Joining him in the challenge will be his sister Hannah, her friend Jenny Denton, and Tom’s friends Daniel Stammers, George Baker and Josh Nutt.
“It helps being a farmer as it is quite a physical job anyway, but I’ve been taking part in park runs too and getting in plenty of time running and at the gym. It has gone on the newsletter at work and they have been really supportive which has been brilliant.
“If we can achieve what we have set out to fundraising-wise, that’s our ultimate aim.”
Tom is accepting donations in person and through a Facebook fund-raising page. Search Raising Money for “Our Little Warrior” or Tom on Facebook for more information.
