A quick update on Lara.

Firstly, Katie and I would like to thank everyone for all the support and good wishes we've received since Saturday we can't thank you enough.

On Monday evening Lara was moved from the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) in Southampton general hospital to the Neuro ward where she will be staying for the majority of her recovery.

As well as that we secured a room in the Ronald McDonald foundation house which will be ours for as long as we require.

We are hoping that now the 3 of us have a base we can get into a routine and build some structure for Lara. We are also hoping baby number 2 will delay her arrival so Lara gets all of our attention for the next couple weeks at least.

Since being on the neuro ward, although being quite grumpy for her first few days she's started to show glimpses of starting her recovery already.

SALT (speech and language team) are impressed with her ability to talk and eat without the risk of choking so she's gone straight back onto normal, solid foods although she isn't eating much so is being tube fed but we're hoping that won't last much longer.

She's done a few sessions of physiotherapy/play which she seems to be really enjoying. And has even already managed to wiggle her toes slightly and move her leg.

The doctors are very impressed with her progress given its only been 6 days since the stroke occured.

Obviously Katie and I are optimistic but we are well aware that there is a long road ahead and don't want to go getting our hopes up so soon as we know Lara will encounter both good and bad days.

As of yet weve been given no explanation of why this has happened to our little girl.

Again, we can't thank you all enough for your support and love we've received.

Chris, Katie & Lara x

We would like to bring to your attention some very concerning news regarding the family of Greenkeeper Chris Symes. Last Saturday, Chris and Katie’s 2 years old daughter Lara suffered a traumatic stroke at their home in Bridport. She was rushed to A & E at Dorchester Hospital where her condition was immediately diagnosed as serious. An immediate call was made to the Air Ambulance Service that provided an airlift to a specialist department at Southampton Hospital for further investigation and treatment.

Following brain scans the Doctors are optimistic that a measured recovery will be made but it is not yet clear as to the long-term implications and effects that the stroke will have on Lara. She is currently in I.C.U and hopefully soon be moved to the neuro ward.

Chris and Katie are now staying close to Southampton Hospital and are expecting to be there for up to 3 months. To complicate matters further they are expecting their second child any day now. The family have now managed to find accommodation with the Ronald MacDonald Foundation in Southampton.

Chris has been a greenkeeper at our Club for over 14 years and is a well-respected and hardworking member of our team. All the staff at the golf club are very keen to support Chris and Katie at this exceedingly difficult time and wish to raise significant funds to help them cope with the demands of the next 3 months and with further care and treatment for Lara going forward.