Abseil in Aiden's Memory, Oct 2022

Aiden Lewis 22/10/2015 - 20/12/2020. The most special, incredible little boy who really did light up the room wherever he went and has left magical memories behind for everyone who knew him.

On 2nd October 2022, Aiden's Dad Josh and Auntie Kim are going to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to raise money for Friends of PICU, the charity that gives help and support to children and their families on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Southampton Children's Hospital. Aiden and his family benefited from the donations made to the charity in the past so we would now like to give something back.

Briefly, for those people who do not know Aiden's story: Aiden was always small for his age but it wasn't until he was 4 that it was discovered he had a problem with his heart.

In July 2020, Aiden had a stay at Southampton General Ocean Ward where he had a procedure to hopefully prolong his life. The procedure was more successful than the doctors thought and Aiden spent the next few months doing very well and even started school in September. He had the most fabulous 5th Birthday in October.

Sadly, in November he was readmitted to Ocean Ward where the issue was worse than before and Aiden spent time in the PICU after another heart procedure. Josh, Caitlin and Aiden's little brother Logan were provided with accommodation in Ronald McDonald House so they could be close at all times. He kept fighting - when the doctors said he wouldn't come off the ventilator, he did! He surprised everyone by asking for a chocolate chip cookie straight away - needless to say he got one immediately! His devoted Mum and Dad, Caitlin and Josh, were told his prognosis was very poor. However they managed to get him to Naomi House for a few days and from there they fought to get him back home, to have the memory of a last Christmas Day. Aiden came home, with much medical support late on 15th December. We all had Christmas the very next day on 16th December (Aiden really thought it WAS Christmas and he was very excited about Santa visiting!). He had an amazing day with many new toys and special gifts from the Make a Wish Foundation including a video message from astronaught Tim Peake, a gigantic Lego rocket, and a Star named after him in the constellation of Hercules. It was very special to get Aiden home and meant so much to all the family. Sadly, Aiden passed away at home, being held by Josh and Caitlin, in the late evening of 20th December 2020

In that paragraph above, there are five charities that helped Aiden and his immediate family during their most difficult few months. We have decided that each year, we will raise money so that each of these amazing charities can keep supporting families like ours. While they can't, of course, change any medical outcome, they can help with some of the pressure caused by having a seriously ill child in hospital or provide comfort through a special gift. Last year in 2021 we raised money for Ocean Ward Charity and also for Naomi House & Jacks Place Hospice. This year, we are starting with the Friends of PICU, Southampton General.

We know that money is incredibly tight for everyone but we also know how important these charities are and we would love to raise £500 to give to Friends of PICU this October. Please give what you can - even £1 will help our total to grow.

THANK YOU! By giving what you can, you will be helping families going through the worst time of their lives, in memory of a very special little Super Hero. xxx