Summer 2025 Update

As summer comes to a close, we’ve been looking back on what has been a season filled with change, growth, and unforgettable moments for Louie’s Trust. In just a few short months, we’ve celebrated record-breaking fundraising, moved into our very first office space, and witnessed the kind of “full circle” story that reminds us why our charity exists in the first place.

Strengthening Our Team

One of the most exciting things about this summer has been welcoming another Trustee to our board. Gemma Chisholm has joined existing trustees Addison Taylor, Emily Taylor and Kelly Storey. Having an extra pair of hands and a fresh perspective at the table is already making a difference. Gemma is helping us to grow our fundraising, build stronger partnerships, and ensure more people hear about Louie’s Trust, as well as helping us navigate the compliance needed for our organisation.

For a small charity like ours, every new supporter, especially at leadership level, feels like a huge leap forward. We welcome everyone and will happily take any support or advice. It’s a reminder that more and more people believe in the importance of what we’re doing.

Events to Remember

In May, we experienced one of the biggest nights in our journey so far, the Taylor Wimpey Charity Ball. It wasn’t just an evening of glitz, glamour, and fun. It became our most successful fundraising event to date, raising a staggering £10,530.00!

We can’t thank Taylor Wimpey North East enough for not only organising the ball but also continuing to support Louie’s Trust into the future. To stand in the ballroom, presenting Louie’s story in front of 250 people, was an incredible experience. Sharing the reality parents face and how we aim to support them brought so much feedback and encouragement throughout the night. Every one of Taylor Wimpey North East's partners and contractors really came together for us on the night. Our founders left with a huge sense of pride, reminded that events like this don’t just fill up our fundraising total, they show that together, as a community, we can achieve something extraordinary.

Another special event this summer was Lunch at Lumley, hosted by Network North East and supported by Wolf Competitions. A huge thank you to James Scott at Wolf Competitions and to North East Network for making Louie’s Trust the chosen charity. Thanks to their generosity, an incredible £2,150.00 was raised to support families with children in hospital. The most ever raised for a charity at this event. And of course, we couldn’t forget the fun of the Grab a Grand machine, which was a first (and probably not the last!) for a North East Network event.

Building a Home for Louie’s Trust

This summer also marked a milestone that feels deeply personal to us: moving into our first official office space. Up until now, much of our work has been carried out from our founder’s house and a small storage unit. Having a place to call our own is more than just practical, it’s another huge milestone we didn’t expect to achieve this year. It means Louie’s Trust now has a home, a heart, and a place where families and supporters can come to connect.

And what makes it even more special is how the space came together. AGP Decorating helped us move our stock,  multiple van trips full of donations,  items for Parent Packs, children’s pyjamas and toys. Interiors of Ripon donated a beautiful six-person workspace with chairs, something essential for hosting volunteering sessions to pack Parent Packs and other items.

We wanted to make the office feel truly ours, so Washington Wall Art hand-sprayed our logo and added splashes of colour that make the space warm and unique. We’re also grateful to colleagues at Northumbrian Water, who generously contributed £250.00 to help us settle in and furnish the space.

Now, when you step inside, it doesn’t just look like an office, it feels like a community hub. We can already picture the memories we’ll make here: volunteers gathering to prepare Parent Packs, families joining us for a cup of tea and a chat, and the many small but meaningful moments that will shape the heart of our work. We look forward to sharing more of it with you very soon!

Hitting the Ground Running

Running has become one of the ways we bring people together. The Doxy Runners have been long-time supporters of Louie’s Trust, and as their group grows, so does their support for us. From volunteering their time to helping distribute items and sharing our posts across social media, they do us proud every week by wearing and promoting Louie’s Trust across Sunderland and beyond.We’re also looking forward to upcoming events later this year, the Jane Tomlinson Thirteen Middlesbrough 10k in August and the Run Through Jarrow 10k in October. We can’t wait to see many of the Doxy Runners taking part, along with lots of new faces.

A Full Circle Moment

Perhaps the most touching story of the summer came from Matthew, a dad whose family we supported during his son Jasper’s long hospital stay. When times were tough, we were able to ease some of the pressure with practical help, financial support, and reassurance. Now, Matthew is choosing to give something back in the most extraordinary way.This summer, he took on a 100-mile ultra marathon across the Brecon Beacons, climbing over 6,000 metres in under 40 hours. It’s the kind of challenge that pushes the limits of endurance, and he did it in honour of Louie’s memory.

As Matthew put it:

“Louie’s Trust supported us with practical, financial help and reassurance when things were tough when our son Jasper was in hospital. Their support genuinely helped ease the pressure during a challenging period… Now, I want to give something back, to honour Louie’s memory and help ensure more families continue to receive that same warmth and support.”

His words touched us deeply. For a small charity like ours, fundraisers like this mean the world. They don’t just raise vital funds,  they show the lasting impact of kindness and the power of community to turn even the hardest experiences into something positive. We loved following Matthew’s journey online and were blown away by his determination. Massive well done, Matt!  You’ve done Jasper and Louie proud!

Taking It to New Heights

This year, two teams connected with Louie’s Trust also took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The first was a collaboration with 4Louis, and the second with a group from Wearside Recovery, who managed to raise £1,885.00 against their £500.00 target. The group of 10 did fantastically well. Most completed the challenge, and those who didn’t have already committed to trying again next year.And speaking of new heights, Louie’s Trust reached a huge milestone of its own. Since launching in November 2023, we’ve now raised over £50,000.00. To hit that figure in less than two years is something we could never have imagined at the start of this journey. It speaks volumes about the generosity of our community, and about the way Louie’s story continues to inspire action and compassion.

Looking Ahead

As we turn the corner into autumn, there’s even more to look forward to. We’ll soon be announcing two new corporate partners who are joining us on this journey,  partnerships that will help us dream bigger and reach even further.

The story of Louie’s Trust is still being written, and with every new supporter, every new milestone, and every new memory, we’re not only making Louie proud. We’re proving just how much can be achieved when people come together. From the generosity shown at the Taylor Wimpey Ball, to the warmth poured into our new office, to the incredible challenges and milestones we’ve achieved. None of this would be possible without you.

Together, we’ve proven what’s possible in less than two years. Every step, every challenge, every milestone is making a difference for families and making Louie proud. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.