There is something truly special about the atmosphere in Sunderland when race day rolls around. This year, the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs celebrate their 15th anniversary, and for us here at Louie’s, it feels like a milestone of our own.
This will be the third time we’ve laced up our trainers to take part, but this year feels different. It’s not just about the miles or the medals; it’s about the incredible people standing on the start line alongside us.
If you’ve followed our journey since we launched in November 2023, you’ll know that Louie’s was born from a very personal and very raw place. Everything we do is rooted in the lived experience of parents who have navigated the terrifying, exhausting, and often isolating world of having a child in hospital.
We’ve been in those shoes. We know how much even the smallest act of kindness can change the course of a day.
A Full Circle Moment: Running With Our Heros
The biggest reason this year’s run is our team line-up. We aren’t just running as a group of supporters; we are running alongside some of the very nurses from Ward F65 at Sunderland Royal Hospital who cared for Louie.
When you are in hospital for long stretches, the medical staff become your lifeline. They see you at your lowest, celebrate the smallest victories with you, and provide care that goes far beyond their job title.
To have these incredible individuals join us on the streets of Sunderland to raise money for Louie’s is a full-circle moment. They have been by our side since the beginning, and seeing them swap scrubs for running vests is something we will never forget.
One of those nurses is Laura. She cared for Louie during his many stays on F65, and her words capture the heart of why this means so much.
In Laura’s words:
“I am running the Sunderland 10K alongside some of my F65 colleagues to support and raise money for Louie’s. I cared for Louie and his family during his many stays on F65, and his strength and bravery never went unnoticed.
As a ward, we work with parents and carers to provide the best possible care to patients, often during long and incredibly challenging periods that can feel stressful and isolating. We have seen firsthand the incredible impact Louie’s has made. The charity’s support and contributions to our ward are invaluable, helping to make hospital stays more comfortable and providing much-needed support to both patients and their families. We are truly grateful for everything the charity continues to do. By taking part in this run, we hope to give something back, raise awareness, and honour Louie’s memory.” – Laura, Paediatrics Nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Hearing that from the very people on the frontline means the world to us. It confirms what we are doing is making a tangible difference.
Why We Run: The Impact of Your Support
Funds raised during the SG Petch Sunderland City Runs go directly toward making life a little easier for families in crisis.
When a child is admitted to hospital, everything changes in an instant. Life stops. There is often not enough practical or emotional support for parents during this time, and families can quickly find themselves overwhelmed, isolated, and under financial pressure.
Louie’s exists to help change that experience.
We aim to make hospital life feel less overwhelming for families so they can focus on what matters most, their child’s health and being together.
Our support includes:
- Essential Items: Parent packs, clothes, toiletries & much more
- Financial Support: Grants, fuel & parking payments, travel expenses, accommodation support near hospitals
- Advice & Resources: One-to-one support, trained counselling team, drop-in sessions at hospital, regular check ins and signposting.
- Enrichment & Memory Making: Super Sunnies, seasonal & birthday gifts, keepsake making kits, arts & crafts etc.
Growing The Team: A Word from Our Team
Louie’s has grown so much since 2023, and that growth has come from a community of people who started as supporters and felt so moved by the mission that they chose to become part of it.
“Seeing Sunderland City Runs come around each year is always special, but it means even more now as a trustee of Louie’s. I first supported from the sidelines, cheering runners on and backing the cause, and now return year after year and watch Louie’s grow, reaching more families, building more support, and bringing our community together.
I feel incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing team and community, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more we can still achieve together.” – Kyle Smith, Trustee.
Back This Year with a Brand-New Look
This year, we’re not just back on the start line we’re back with a brand-new look too. Our fresh branding feels like a really meaningful step forward for Louie’s. It reflects who we are now, how far we’ve come, and the kind of support we want families to feel the moment they come across us.
We wanted our identity to feel brighter, warmer, and full of life, because that is at the heart of our mission. Even in the hardest hospital moments, there should still be space for happiness and joy, something Louie was always known for.
That’s why our new branding carries little pieces of him within it.
You’ll see yellow heavily featured, his favourite colour, you’ll spot the sheep toy he took everywhere and a cheeky monkey, a nod to the nickname his parents lovingly gave him.
And if you look closely, you may even find hidden words like “you’ve got this,” “wow,” and “amazing” the same words spoken to Louie by his family during his toughest moments.
As well as featuring yellow as his favourite colour, toy sheep which he took everywhere and a monkey character to represent his nickname from his parents.
Little pieces of Louie’s story, carried with us and a part of us wherever we go.
Louie’s is about spreading kindness. It’s about honouring a brave little boy’s memory by making sure other families feel seen, heard, and supported.
We know we can’t change a diagnosis, but we can change the experience of being in hospital.
So if you’re in Sunderland on race day, keep an eye out for the Louie’s team. We’ll be the ones running with a little extra heart and probably a lot of noise.
And if you see us, come and say hello, we’re always up for a chat.
To support our runners or learn more about our work, visit www.louies.org.uk
