Gladiator Training is a gym full of members who treat each other like family. The gym is set up for children of all abilities to take part and encourage health and well being along with their parents. As a gym we recognise the critical need for the services that Northern Ireland Childrens hospice provide. The hospice relies on fundraising in order to provide the only service available to children with complex needs and their families in Northern Ireland. They provide valuable and essential respite care for the children and families. To give families a well deserved break allowing them to do normal things which they may not Be able to due to the complex needs of their children. The children’s hospice is also their to provide palliative care in the hospice or at home with family.

Tommy Reid is a handsome 4 year old who is a member of our gym with his parents. Tommy and his family avail of the services provided by the children’s hospice in order to recover and get rest. 

Tommy was born with a genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis. Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, liver, eyes, lungs, and skin.  Tommy has multiple growths in his brain, most recently has developed growths in his kidney and eye. He has recently started a chemotherapy type treatment to try to prevent any further growths. A combination of symptoms may include seizures, intellectual disability, developmental delay, behavioral problems, skin abnormalities, and lung and kidney disease. Tommy is a life limited child. 

Tommys parents Richard and Rachael found out that Tommy had this condition when he had his first seizure at 12 weeks old, as a result he ended up on a life support machine to get control of his seizures. Unfortunately Tommy can have up to 20 seizures a day. He is delayed all round with his development because of TSC. He is unable to eat or drink and receives all his nutrition through a peg tube. He has daily battles with seizures and other problems but through it all Tommy brings so much joy and love into people’s  lives. Tuberous sclerosis does not change Tommy as we loved him the same the day before his diagnosis to the days after. Tuberous sclerosis has simply changed us and our outlook on life, facing obstacles and challenges that we never imagined we would have to. His smile would brighten up anyone's day💙. 

The children’s hospice enables tommy’s family to get a break and go get a nights sleep as tommy is up a lot at night due to his complexities. Tommy has 2 brothers, Jake who is 6 and Oliver who is 1. Tommy requires a lot of time and attention which can mean that his brothers have to take a back seat. When tommy goes into the hospice it allows his brothers to get more time and attention. Or to go climb slemish or have a bike ride because tommy is in a wheelchair these type of family activities can’t happen. It also allows his brothers to have a good nights sleep as tommy can be very loud when he is distressed at night. The hospice treats every child that goes through the doors as family and are given the best care. Parents have confidence to leave there children there. Tommy is so brave like any other child out there fighting battles but we have to support children like Tommy and the hundreds of families out there needing support. When you put your hand in your pocket and support us think of Tommy and children like Tommy. You are paying for that overnight stay in the hospice, paying for siblings to have a day out with their parents and paying for that nurse to come to Tommys house so his mummy and daddy can get a night sleep. They can walk up the stairs without medicine and feeding equipment. 

We are trying to raise £30 for every 1000 metre rowed. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Gary Peacock is rowing a massive 50,000 metres and Richard Reid is rowing a crazy 100,000 metres. Come along and support us in the Tower Centre Ballymena on the 16th November. You never know you may get a chance to take part.

This is so close to our hearts and any donations made will make all the difference to Tommy's life and all those using the children’s hospice and those that are in need. Thank you.