See what this family is doing to thank Leeds Children’s Hospital for saving their baby boy

He is only a few months old but tiny Roux Owen has already undergone seven major operations in Leeds Children’s Hospital.

It was discovered that little Roux had a giant brain tumour when he was just a baby of four weeks old. He wasn’t feeding well, and his concerned parents took him to the Accident and Emergency unit at hospital in their home town of Hull.

From there they were rushed to Leeds, where they were shocked to discover that Roux was critically ill with a brain tumour the size of two oranges, which had previously gone undetected.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That was on November 2 last year, and following repeated surgery, carried out in Leeds, the stoic tot’s tumour is now pea-sized.

Their gratitude to NHS staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital, and particularly Ward L52, is such that parents Amy and Antony have launched ‘Roux’s Army’, a fundraising appeal for Leeds Cares, to raise money for the hospital they feel so indebted to.

Amy said: “The staff have done so much for us, especially the play specialists, who are all funded by charity.

“They’ve helped to distract our other son through all of this and help him understand his little brother’s illness.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The family all got busy fundraising for the hospital over the festive period, after seeing a poster for Leeds Cares on the ward where Roux was being treated.

They also held a coffee and cake morning at their local gymnastics academy, and Roux’s aunt has sold personalised drawings to push up funds.

Amy added: “We wanted something positive to focus on, and thought what better way than to raise money for the ward where Roux has received such amazing care.

“So many of our friends and family, and even complete strangers have rallied round to support ‘Roux’s Army’ - it’s been amazing to see!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The devoted family’s fundraising efforts have so far raised over £1,500 for Leeds Cares, to support ward 52 at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Amy and Antony are not intending to stop there, and have vowed to continue their fundraising efforts with plans to hold a family fun day in the summer, and an annual charity ball on the day that Roux was diagnosed with his tumour.

Amy said, “Sitting in hospital watching your baby boy fighting for his life brings so much pain and anguish.

“It’s something no one should have to go through.

“But this experience has given us the motivation to fundraise for this amazing hospital.”

To support the Owen family’s fundraising for the work, equipment and activities at Leeds Children’s Hospital, visit their JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abbie-marshall4

Related topics: