Hi, my name is Luke. 

On the 29th October 2021, my brother Adam passed away at the young age of 30. Adam was born 8 weeks early with a chromosome deletion which caused blindness, language and learning difficulties and potential kidney problems. Due to all of the disadvantages he faced, he lived his life different to how we all do but it never held him back. The smallest of things we take for granted, he wasn’t able to do, regardless he still found joy in every aspect of his life. He would never be able to drive, but his passion for busses and trains flowed through his veins. Throughout Adam’s life, he volunteered for many charities, and winning awards for his efforts in volunteering. 

Sadly though, Adam’s kidneys did fail him. Adam needed a transplant, and in order to Go onto the transplant list, he needed to lose 9-10 stone. Because of this, he was having dialysis 3-4 times a week for approximately 2 years, and in the mean time Adam was looking everywhere to find a personal trainer who would take him on. Even with all this change in his life, he still found time to keep on doing everything he loved, from his favourite bands or to watching the football with his friends. In the coming days to Adam’s death, he was being treated for a suspected chest infection, and on the night of the 29th October, he passed away. His cause of death was Broncho-pneumonia. Adam lost the weight he needed, he worked so hard and he achieved it, while still doing everything he loves he got himself to the correct weight to be added to the transplant list. 

Me and Adam had fallen out over a small argument, and we never got to make the proper amends needed before he passed away. He wanted to come round and watch a football match with me, but due to my personal family commitments I had to say no, and now I will never get the chance to make it up to him. I failed him as a brother, I should’ve been there helping to support him when he found things tough, I should I have done more as a brother to make amends. This plays on my mind far too much. 

As I have said, everybody I know takes life for granted, Adam saw the world so different from us yet it was still beautiful to him. I have been having some hard times and because of this, I took the smallest things for granted and now I don’t have those small things to hold onto anymore. And it’s all because I promised myself once I’d never let my mental state get to a stage it was once at, so I didn’t allow myself to feel the stress and pain I needed to, which stopped me from talking about it. For a few days I have been trying to think what I can do in my short time on this earth to be the best person I can be for my children, my family and friends, and This is why I have decided to run a whole marathon. I want to push myself mentally and physically to carry on my brothers legacy of giving everything you can. Adam’s time on the renal ward made him grow very fond of all the people who worked with Adam, and I want to raise money for them so they can continue to give the same compassionate and care they showed my brother to all other patients who sadly have to pass through their ward. 

So please, if you can afford to help support my cause, I will appreciate any donation you can offer. 

Thank you for reading my story

Thank your for supporting the specific hospital wards, departments or community healthcare services that are closest to your heart through the North Wales NHS Charity, Awyr Las (Blue Sky).Your support helps fund some of the added extras - big and small - that go above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide, making a real difference for local patients and their families when they need it the most.