Support Kate, Lewis and their baby Charlie

Baby Charlie has been long awaited for by his loving parents, Kate and Lewis. During pregnancy, it was known that Charlie would be born with some degree of gastroschisis - a rare but treatable condition where there is a hole in the abdominal wall, and intestines are found outside of the body.

Upon diagnosis, Kate and Lewis made as many preparations as they could to ensure they were surrounded with the best support for baby Charlie. The condition also meant his birth wouldn't be exactly straight forward. Then Kate, with some haemorrhaging, was sent to Mater Hospital at 33 weeks, where they tried to keep her baby in utero for as long as possible. Born 5 weeks premature by emergency C-section, beautiful Charlie arrived on the 20th February 2024.

Nothing could prepare Lewis and Kate for the set of complications to follow. On top of a partially collapsed lung (now resolved), Charlie had surgery on day 1 for his bowel, and the surgeon found his intestinal blood supply had been cut off (likely during pregnancy) and was no longer viable. His diagnosis is now a very rare and dreaded form of gastroschisis called "vanishing gastroschisis", resulting in ultra short-gut syndrome. Sadly, he's been left with only 15cm of small bowel and 18cm of colon (supposed to have around 200-250cm at birth). Charlie will need IV nutrition for the rest of his life.

Charlie will be in the Mater NICU for 5 weeks, before being transferred to Queensland Children's Hospital for an estimated 6 months, before finally coming home and continuing his ongoing care. As you could imagine, there are a number of rehabilitative procedures, surgeries and compounding risks to deal with in the future.

Kate and Lewis are some of the kindest people we know, and it breaks our hearts that they have been dealt these cards. As a new mum myself, I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through - physically, emotionally and mentally. The last thing I would want to think about is finances.

Lewis has already taken as much leave from work as he can, and return to work for Kate may be years away. Whilst charities and volunteers can provide them with accommodation and some meals, there are still bills, travel costs, mortgage etc to pay. The aim of this fundraiser is to help relieve at least some of the financial stress they are faced with, so that they can focus all their energy into Charlie's recovery and care.

Lewis and Kate will be able to withdraw any funds raised directly - it will not pass through me.

Please give generously and show your support for Kate, Lewis and Charlie.

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