On the 20th of June 2026, Natalie, Matthew, Lewis, Rebecca, Abbi and Charles (With Robert cheering on from the side-lines!) will be taking on a cliff abseil in Ballycastle to raise funds for two incredible causes: The Royal Hospital’s Children’s Charity (Little Heroes) and Air Ambulance NI. Both played a life-saving role in our family’s story, and this is our way of giving something back.

In November 2023, our son/brother, Lewis, only 13 at the time was involved in a devastating accident. In an instant, our world changed. He was rushed by emergency services to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he spent the next few weeks in a medically induced coma. Those days were the longest and most frightening of our lives. We stood by his bedside feeling helpless, watching the PICU nurses and doctors in the Royal, work tirelessly to save his life.

The relief when he finally woke up is something we will never forget. He was confused, of course, but he remembered every one of us. In the next couple of weeks, Lewis had to learn to walk and talk again, with doctors saying he might not be able to make it home until March/April, however, Lewis surprised everyone, and we even got him home for Christmas that year, which meant the world to our family. Even after everything he’d been through, he still managed to laugh and joke with us.

The two years since have been gruelling, with Lewis having to deal with a brain injury and the daily challenges it brings, but he has shown a level of bravery, resilience and determination that would make any athlete proud. His strength continues to inspire us every single day.

None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary people who cared for him. The teams in PICU, Paul Ward, A&E, and the Air Ambulance crew are truly angels without wings. Their skill, compassion and dedication saved our Son/Brother’s life, and we will never be able to thank them enough.

This harrowing ordeal changes your perspective on life, causing you to make sure you hug your loved ones just a little bit tighter, knowing that life can change in a split second.

By taking on this abseil, we hope to show our gratitude and help support the incredible staff and services who were there for Lewis, and for us, during the darkest moments of our lives. Every donation, no matter how small, will help other families facing the unthinkable.

Thank you so much for your support. It means more than we can ever say.