THREE caring Keynsham boys have turned training and teamwork into a fundraising feat in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.
Leo Nicholls and Leo Porter, both aged 8, and Luca Porter, aged 4, took part in the Great Bristol Mini Run on May 9.
They raised more than £600 for the appeal, which is the charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
The hospital has helped shape their childhoods – both Leo Nicholls and Luca are patients, and so is Leo Nicholls’ sister, Adley, aged one.
Leo Nicholls was born with multiple heart conditions and needed life-saving open-heart surgery at just seven days old. He spent his first two months on the cardiac ward and will need further surgery in the future.
Alongside his heart condition, he also experienced vocal cord paralysis. Speech and language therapy has helped, but he can still get breathless because his airways are restricted, making this run a significant feat.
His sister Adley was born with all her major organs in her chest and spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael’s.
Adley returns every three months for clinical appointments at St Michael’s Hospital and continues her care at Bristol Children’s Hospital for ultrasounds and regular blood tests.
Luca suffers from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). He had a PEG tube fitted last September to help ease the physical symptoms and is now under the care of a paediatric dysphagia specialist to help him eat and drink.
The fundraising idea began with Leo Porter. He spotted an advert for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal while at Bristol Children’s Hospital waiting for his brother to come out of surgery.
Leo Nicholls and Luca wanted to be part of it too, so the friends became Team Leos and Luca.
Both Leos, who are naturally sporty, joined their school’s athletics club to train for the race and practised with their football team.
But what mattered to them most was that they all finished together on the day. Because Luca can’t run or jog very far, both Leos ran the 1.5km, looped back around, and then jogged with him over the finish line.
Lara, the mum of Leo Porter and Luca Porter, said: “We’re so proud of the boys and their achievements – not only for running the race itself and raising a lot of money for a very worthy cause, but for their teamwork, friendship, and compassion for others.
“The Leos looping back around after completing their race to join Luca and run across the finish line together is a wonderful example of this, and a memory we’ll cherish forever.”
Leo Nicholls’ mum Aimee said: “I’m so proud of them. They encouraged and supported each other and kept going, crossing that finish line together.
“The fact they’ve raised over £600 for the children’s hospital is extra special as the hospital has played such a big part in all of their lives.
“Alex – Leo Nicholls’ dad – ran with them. He said they really enjoyed it, and he loved being able to run with them and be a source of encouragement.”
Pictured above (left to right) Leo Porter, Luca Porter and Leo Nicholls Photo: Molly Pipe
Caring Keynsham boys help hospital appeal
