Thank you for visiting Luca's fundraising page.
Our precious Luca was born on 25th November 2008 weighing 7lb 14.5oz. Despite being born a really healthy little boy, he tragically contracted a life threatening infection called Group B streptococcus (GBS) when he was only 17 days old. Despite putting all his strength into fighting the infection, the illness was just too powerful, and it took hold of his body in the form of meningitis with septicaemia. Despite Luca's incredible fighting spirit and all the extraordinary care provided by the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St Mary's Hospital, our little Luca boy's fight for life was just too tough, and he sadly died 4 days later.
We have never seen such an heroic show of commitment, patience and determination as we did in the team at St Mary's who fought so hard to save Luca's life. They were truly incredible, and without the support of the charity COSMIC (Children of St Mary's Intensive Care), only a fraction of what they achieve would be possible. Charitable donations via COSMIC have paid for nearly all the life-saving equipment on the PICU at St Marys Hospital, as well as funding research into the causes, effects and treatment of life-threatening childhood diseases. Without the fundraising efforts of COSMIC, many more children would die each year. The unit could not exist without donations from people like you.
As much as we wish the outcome for Luca had been so very different, we are desperately trying to find a positive outcome from what has happened, and the only way we can do this is to ensure that Luca's death was not in vain. We want to draw on our situation as an opportunity to help other parents, and to prevent them having to go through the terrible pain that we have. This is why we have decided to do everything we possibly can to support COSMIC in the years to come, be it through donations, fundraising or sponsorship........whatever it takes.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate. Cosmic will receive your money electronically and if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
We can't bring our precious Luca back, but we can put all of our strength into making sure that other children never have to suffer like Luca did. Luca's absence is painfully clear in everything we do. He will forever be our inspiration.
Thank you ever so much for your support.
Lots of love
Toby and Natalie xx
