In October, Lewis will be enduring a four-day physical challenge to help raise over £100,000 for life-saving equipment for paediatric facilities in Saint Lucia.

The challenge will include a series of runs, kayaking on choppy seas, rainforest trekking through tropical rainforest and volcano hiking, including an extremely hilly half-marathon on day 3, and a 5-hour hike up the Gros Piton, climbing almost 3,000 ft - all in extremely hot and humid conditions.

Whilst the scenery will be lovely, every bit of this challenge will be extremely gruelling, so we're asking for your kind donations in recognition of this - everything you donate will go towards life-saving equipment for sick children and babies in Saint Lucia.

This year’s event will provide funding for essential new equipment in the Special Care Baby Unit of the Paediatric Division at the Millennium Medical Complex in Saint Lucia. The Unit cares for approximately 180 critically ill babies each year and stands as a symbol of hope for families during a vulnerable time.

WHY THEY NEED OUR HELP:

Small island, limited resources – Saint Lucia is a developing island nation with just one main public hospital complex. That means facilities like the Special Care Baby Unit are often the only option for critically ill newborns across the whole island.

High neonatal risk – Premature births, low birth weights and complications at delivery are common everywhere, but in smaller countries without extensive facilities, these can be more dangerous. Outcomes for babies are heavily dependent on timely access to equipment such as incubators, ventilators, and monitors.

Equipment shortages – Unlike larger countries with multiple hospitals and bigger budgets, Saint Lucia’s health system can’t always afford the latest or sufficient neonatal equipment. One broken incubator or monitor can make a huge difference when caring for fragile infants.

Geography and access – Families can’t just transfer babies to another nearby hospital with advanced care. Transporting critically ill newborns off-island is often not possible, meaning care has to happen locally, with what’s available.

Staff dedication vs. system limits – The Unit’s doctors and nurses are highly trained and committed, but without enough equipment they can’t always provide the level of care that would be standard in better-resourced countries.