I Martienus Thomas a one to one independent swimming instructor at Penrhos Park Llanrhystud. my swimmer six-year-old Lewis from Aberaeron, last summer he was a healthy boy, enjoyed a normal happy life. Until, with very little warning, he began losing the ability to walk.

It all started after a football game when Lewis complained of leg pain.

He then also struggled uncharacteristically in his final swimming lesson, from being able to swim a confident length to not being able to move for a widths distance.

Mum - Lizzie and Dad - Alex together noticing changes in lewis movements, concerned, and after different tests, tests revealed nothing until one day Lewis couldn’t walk at all.

At hospital a further test revealed high Protein levels.

Lewis was rushed to Noah's Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales with suspected Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)—a rare neurological condition where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing weakness, tingling, and potential paralysis.

At Noah’s Ark, Lewis’ condition deteriorated rapidly. Infusions slowed the progression, preventing it from affecting his upper body, but Lewis spent four weeks on Island Ward relearning to walk. On November 15, he went home, but just two weeks later, he lost the ability to walk again. And this time his upper body was affected too. Lewis was rushed back to the children’s hospital, where he’s been ever since.

Thanks to support from the Noah’s Ark Charity, Lewis has access to music therapy, counselling, and physiotherapy equipment to aid his recovery. The charity also provides practical comforts, like pull-down beds for parents to stay close to their children. Thank you for making this vital support possible.

13th January 2025 I went to Noah’s Ark to spend time with lewis. It was a fantastic time for us both we were like two best friends having a catch up talking and playing games, Lewis in his wheelchair couldn’t wait to show me the fantastic swimming pool at the location.

I said to Lewis would you like me to walk from his primary school - Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron to Noah’s Ark in Cardiff. That’s a long way Lewis said.

On Friday 18th July 2025 the last day of school before the school summer holidays I will start my four-day challenge to walk from Aberaeron Primary to Noah’s Ark Cardiff.

Please donate if you can for Noah’s Ark and Thankyou in advance.

Each year around 90000 children come to the Noah’s Ark for specialist and often life-saving care.

From Lewis and lewis family, his friends at a much loved school in Ceredigion and Lewis swimming instructor

Thankyou for your donations and please spread the word so that Noah’s Ark have more vital funds to help support more children.

Martienus Thomas and Lewis Danton.