Hull family fundraise after baby diagnosed with brain tumour

On the 2^nd November, the Owen family visited A&E at their local hospital in Hull after noticing their 4-week-old baby, Roux wasn’t feeding properly.

The family were rushed to Leeds Children’s Hospital where they were shocked to discover that Roux was critically ill with a brain tumour the size of two oranges that had previously gone undetected.

Since being admitted, baby Roux has undergone seven major operations at Leeds Children’s Hospital and thankfully, his tumour is now pea-sized.

The Owen family can’t thank NHS staff enough for supporting their little boy, in particular those on Ward L52 where Roux has been spending his time. Parents Amy and Antony have since launched ‘Roux’s Army’, a fundraising appeal for Leeds Cares, to raise funds for Leeds Children’s Hospital.

“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.”

Roux’s parents have already fundraised for the hospital over the Christmas period after seeing a poster for Leeds Cares on the ward. The family have also held a coffee and cake morning at their local Gymnastics Academy and Roux’s Auntie has also been selling personalised drawings to raise funds.

Amy says “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!”

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. Parents Amy and Antony aren’t stopping there and have vowed to continue fundraising with plans to hold a family fun day in the summer and an annual ball on the day Roux was diagnosed.

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 Leeds Children’s Hospital, visit their JustGiving page.