Tragic Shrewsbury parents’ mission to give back to hospice
The parents of a Shrewsbury toddler who died while waiting for an urgent heart transplant have organised a fundraiser for Hope House children’s hospice in his memory.
Karen and Colin Prior, from Monkmoor, lost their two-year-old son Lewis in 2004 after months of waiting for a heart to save him that never came.
They said they have received a lot of support from the hospice and want to give something back.
Lewis would have been celebrating his 17th birthday this month, and in his memory they have organised a charity family fun day on Monday at The Red Lion, Battlefield, Shrewsbury.
The event, which is taking place between 11am and 4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, will have live music, a magic man, balloon modelling, children’s rides, a name the teddy competition, bouncy castle, stalls and more.
Karen, 53, said: “Lewis was born in 2001 with an undiagnosed heart condition, he had two stages of open heart surgery plus other procedures but we were told in December 2003 that our son’s health had deteriorated and there was no option but to place him on the active transplant list.
“Sadly Lewis’s much needed call never came and we had to make the horrendous decision to turn off his life support – he was two years and eight months.”
Karen explained how the care and service provided by Hope House had helped them to cope with the harrowing experience of losing Lewis.
She said: “Hope House children’s hospice was always there for us as a family since Lewis was born and since he passed in 2004.
Snowflake Room
“We were able to use the Snowflake Room after losing our son. This is a special room where the temperature is controlled. It was here that we were able to visit Lewis before our final goodbyes.
“We were allowed to come and go as often as we wanted, and decorate it with Lewis’s pictures, favourite toys, TV characters, make the bed with his Thomas the Tank duvet. At the time we did not fully comprehend just how much being able to do this helped us.
“It is only now that we realise that by being able to use the Snowflake Room we were spared the horrendous image of seeing our son at an undertakers.”
Karen said their experience shows why it is vital that the service is available for other families.
“The Snowflake Room must always be there for any family who lose a child and this is why I am fundraising in my son’s name for Hope House children’s hospice in order to keep this much-needed service, and many others that Hope House provides, to continue.
“It is vital and so important that it remains available to any grieving family who choose to use it.”
The fundraising event will also include a sponsored wax, face painting, hair braiding, glitter tattoos and a visit from Minnie and Mickey Mouse.
Anyone who is unable to attend but wants to make a donation can email Karen at kazzy65@talktalk.net.
Lewis’ parents set up the Lewis Prior Foundation after his death.
The foundation raised about £17,000 for Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Hope House and other good causes over the space of around a decade.
Hope House Children’s Hospices – Hope House at Oswestry and Ty Gobaith at Conwy – provide care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families from Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.
The charity offers respite and end-of-life care at the hospices or within the family home, and support such as counselling, advocacy and the promotion of children, young people’s and carers’ rights.
For information visit hopehouse.org.uk
