As the leaves are falling and we wrap up another incredible season, we can’t help but reflect on just how far Louie’s has come. This autumn has been about strengthening our team, welcoming new partners, and watching long-held dreams come to life. From new faces around the board table to major funding successes, every step reminds us of how much can happen when love and community come together.

Completing Our Team

This season, we were thrilled to welcome Kyle Smith as the newest member of our Board of Trustees, joining Addison Taylor, Emily Taylor, Kelly Storey & Gemma Chisholm.

Kyle brings with him experience in HR and Mental Health First Aid, as well as a deep understanding of the values that drive Louie’s. Having volunteered at many of our events throughout 2025, he’s already become a familiar and friendly face within our community.

“I love being part of Louie’s because everything we do comes from a place of love, hope, and community. Seeing how the charity supports families across the Northeast who are facing unimaginable challenges reminds me every day why this work matters. For me, it’s about carrying Louie’s light forward, turning heartbreak into something that helps others. Looking to the future, I’d love to see Louie’s continue to grow, reaching even more families and raising greater awareness of the incredible work being done.” Kyle Smith

Having Kyle on board strengthens our ability to support families and staff alike, and we’re so grateful for his energy, insight, and commitment to helping Louie’s continue to shine.

Building New Partnerships

This autumn, we were proud to welcome two incredible new partners SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK and Slater & Gordon Lawyers both of whom share our passion for supporting families and communities.

Our partnership with SUEZ began after meeting one of their Regional Managers, Victoria, at the Taylor Wimpey Charity Ball earlier this year. Moved by Louie’s story, she invited us to visit their Cramlington office, where we came together and came up with ideas that go beyond fundraising, including plans to create green spaces around hospitals to support wellbeing, nature, and mental health. As well as getting involved with volunteering days and collection appeals. SUEZ will also be sponsoring our official event running t-shirts for 2025 and 2026, proudly carrying Louie’s message across the North East.

We also connected with John Lowther from Slater & Gordon Lawyers through a Grace House networking event, where our shared understanding of what families face during hospital stays led to something special. Their team pledged £5,000.00 to support projects such as our Parent Packs and Pillow Pals, as well as sponsoring our running t-shirts. Most importantly, families supported by Louie’s will now have access to trusted advice whenever they need it, offering reassurance when it matters most.

Both partnerships are built on kindness and community, the same values that have guided Louie’s from the very start, and we’re so grateful to have them alongside us on this journey.

A Fresh Look for Louie’s

We wanted to create a brand that felt as joyful, heartfelt, and full of character as the families we support. Changing our name and logo was just the beginning. The introduction of our new character, Sunnie, captures the warmth, light, and hope that Louie’s represents, while our new status as a Registered Charitable Organisation cements the growth we’ve experienced over the past two years.

Our refreshed look is filled with thoughtful details that pay tribute to Louie.  His favourite toy, a little blue sheep, inspired one of our design icons. A cheeky monkey nods to Louie’s family nickname, while the affirmations his parents used Amazing! Wow! now feature across our materials. For anyone who knew Louie, these touches are really heartwarming and for those who didn't know him, can get a feel for the kind of little boy he was and the impact he has had on everyone he met.

This rebrand isn’t just about how we look, it’s about who we are. A bright, hopeful charity that continues to grow, evolve, and carry Louie’s spirit with us.

Events and Achievements

Autumn also saw our community come together through two unforgettable running events the Great North Run and RunThrough Jarrow 10k. Between our runners, volunteers, and supporters, an incredible £7,661.00 was raised to support children and families across the region. Huge thank you to everyone who took part and the Doxy Runners for turning up in force for both these events. 

We were also so grateful to receive generous funding from several organisations whose support has made a huge impact on our goals and what we want to achieve. The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust awarded £2,500.00, the National Lottery Awards for All granted £19,975.00, and CR Reynolds contributed £500.00.

These funds have allowed us to produce more Parent Packs and to improve both their quality and sustainability. We’ve introduced new eco friendly items such as reusable colour changing cups, bamboo toothbrushes, and natural hairbrushes, small changes that make a big impact for families and the planet. What’s even more exciting is that these improvements were originally part of our five year plan, but thanks to the generosity of our supporters, they’ve become a reality a lot sooner than we ever expected. We can't wait to share the finished upgraded parent packs with everyone.

Looking Ahead

As we head into winter, there’s even more to look forward to. We’re preparing to celebrate Louie’s second birthday and launch our Christmas campaigns, with our Gifts for Good appeal, Go North East Santa Bus, and Boxing Day Dip to close out the year.

To think that in just two years, Louie’s has raised over £86,000 is extraordinary. Every pound, every volunteer hour, every act of kindness has brought us closer to our goal  helping families feel seen, supported, and cared for when they need it most.

We can’t thank our community enough. Whether you’ve fundraised, volunteered, shared a post, or simply told someone about Louie’s, you’ve played a part in this story. Together, we continue to prove that from heartbreak, hope can grow and that Louie’s will keep shining bright for many seasons to come.