Hello 👋🏼 My name is Lewis, residing in the South Wales.

The purpose of this justgiving page is to raise funds, and create awareness for the Maxillofacial, Oral surgery and Orthodontics unit of the Royal Gwent Hospital, which treats diseases, injuries, and deformities of the face, mouth, and jaws.

During my childhood, I endured a catastrophic dog attack that resulted in significant and life-altering injuries to my face, neck, and ear. The incident took place on a weekday evening at the home of a family friend during the summer holidays, where a social visit took an unforeseen and traumatic turn.

Upon reflection, I recall playing in the garden with a friend of similar age until I found myself cornered in a small courtyard of the farm by a large Golden Retriever known for its unpredictable nature (some may say this is unusual for a dog of this breed) At the age of ten, I was like most children, inquisitive, outgoing, though agile and sporty, I was small and clearly outmatched by the size of the dog. Despite my attempt to confidently navigate past the animal, it lunged at me, knocking me to the ground and inflicting severe injuries to my face, neck, and ear. This violent encounter nearly proved fatal, as my jugular vein was narrowly missed by mere millimeters.

While the specifics of the attack remain hazy, likely obscured by the adrenaline of the moment, I vividly remember fleeing from the dog, saturated in my blood and clutching my severed ear loosely in my hand. An outburst of a scream in sheer panic, my mother rushed towards me from across the farm. Upon reaching her I collapsed, marking the point where my memories fades.

Following a desperate drive to the nearest hospital to avoid the delays associated with an ambulance, also given the uncertainty of my survival, my mother, who was only 32 at the time, vividly recalls presenting my incapacitated body to the reception desk of the Royal Gwent Hospital, which falls under the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

She was quickly informed that the hospital was not equipped to treat dog attacks or perform surgery for such significant injuries. Shortly thereafter, I was admitted to intensive care, where I was evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist and subsequently scheduled for immediate surgery.

Had it not been for the dedicated efforts of the Maxillofacial unit and the countless hours spent in surgery, resulting in over 600 stitches externally and several hundred more internally, I would not be here today to recount this experience.

In light of this reflection, I have resolved to run Cardiff Half Marathon, in order to express my gratitude and to honor the exceptional efforts of the medical professionals who saved my life.

Although the facial unit does not operate as a charity in its own right, it is my intention to run for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board with the hope that any funds I raise will be directed towards benefit and use of the Maxillofacial Unit.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.