Latest Life for Lewis Appeal News

All the latest news and forthcoming events from the Life for Lewis Appeal will appear here.

June 2018 - Super Heroes & Villains 5k Father's Day Fun Run Raises £2.5k

Old White Hart 5K Fun Run Raises £2,500 for the Life for Lewis Appeal.

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to each and everyone of you who came and supported our fun run for Lewis on Sunday. You all looked amazing in your costumes and we really hope you had as much fun as we did. We are delighted to announce that we managed to raise an incredible £2,500 which is simply wonderful, thank you all so much, the OWH team x

Lexi Herbert Parker: Bloody hell! It’s amazing! Totally gobsmacked! Xxx

Thank you to all the wonderful Super Heroes and Villains

Super Heroes & Villains 5k Father's Day Fun Run!

Old White Hart Fun Run - 17th June 2018
We are hosting a 5k fun run in aid of raising money for the Life for Lewis Appeal on Father's Day! It's fancy dress, and we'd love you to come as one of your favourite superheroes or villains!

We'll be starting the day at 10am at The Old White Hart with bacon sandwiches available! The race will start at 11am, from just opposite the pub, running 5k along the canal. After the race there will be live music and food at the Hart!

If you'd like to enter the run, it's £6 for adults and £3 for kids, all money going to the Life for Lewis Appeal. You can pay for entry and donate to our just giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owh5klifeforlewis

See you there!

A message from the Old White Hart pub..

***A PARENTS LOVE IS ENDLESS AND UNCONDITIONAL***
We are trying to club together to help give Lewis a life he deserves. This has since developed into a condition called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). LGS is a rare and extremely severe form of epilepsy with multiple seizure types. It causes severe global developmental delay.

Through coming together and raising money for his cause, we can show him what the power of people can do. As Father's/parents, we know the lengths we go to for our children, 200 willing and able parents to run a short 5K to help raise money for him.
With the power of social media, we intend to encourage super hero father's to run with us on fathers day. Dressed as superheros to have the best possible effect on not just Lewis, but the community. Helping Lewis to get the funding he needs for various disability specific items and equipment to improve his quality of life.

TAG YOUR DAD IF YOU THINK HE'S YOUR HERO
What a cause to be supportive from one dad to another - together we can fight the crimes of illness, one step at a time. Not just dad's but parents, we can all fight together on this amazing run.

By reaching out to a father in need, putting £6 to a cause and creating a environment of success, setting an example to others with actions that speak volumes. We can all show this love together. We only have each other for help in times like these, we have to be the hero's!

Sign up here to get involved with us on this amazing journey of community, compassion and love - Be the superhero you know you are.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owh5klifeforlewis

Thank you for taking the time to read this, its very important to us that we make a success of this and we hope that you will help us to make this a real superhero story to remember!

For more details please visit the Old White Hart's facebook page
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Super Heroes & Villains 5k Father's Day Fun Run!

Sept 2024 - Charity Cricket game at Cirencester CC on Sunday 1st Sept

We had the most incredible and extremely emotional weekend at the Life for Lewis Appeal Charity Cricket Family Fun on Sunday at Cirencester CC. We are delighted to announce that the day raised an astonishing £7,500 for Lewis’ appeal.
Read more.. Sept 2024 - Charity Cricket Match

The Journey of a Special Needs Father by Gary Herbert

My dad has written about the challenges he, my mum, my sister and my brother have to go through to look after me. It is a very honest and personal account of a fathers journey of having a special needs child and the challenges faced.
Read more.. The Journey of a Special Needs Father

Supporters Comments

We would be so grateful if everyone who has supported the Life for Lewis Appeal over the past few years take a couple of minutes and leave us a comment on our supporters comment page, it will be lovely for us to be able to look back on the comments and cherish and have a record of how utterly amazing people have been towards Lewis and our family, many thanks Gary and Lexi xx Read more.. Supporters Comments

What The Papers Say.. Read All About It..

Links to various newspaper reports about the Life for Lewis Appeal..

Read more.. What The Papers Say

Jun 2024 - Team Bellew Climb Snowden and raise an amazing £900

“We wanted to mark Lewis’s 21st birthday and also undertake a challenge that really pushed us. We wanted to really earn that sponsorship money, because times are tough! This was a challenge that we could do as a group to hopefully raise awareness about Lewis’s charity and it was great that we could get our children involved. They found it much easier than us older ones!
Read more.. June 2024 - Team Bellew Climb Snowden

May 2024 - Milton Keynes 10km Relay Marathon Run on 6th May 2024

Jim Hawkins, the Clubs and Community Manager for Steelbacks in the Community, is running a 10 km relay leg of the Milton Keynes Marathon on May 6th to raise funds for Lewis.

Many thanks to Jim who raised £450 for the Life for Lewis fund. Read more.. May 2024 - MK 10km Relay

Nov 2023 - Oscar's 50 Mile Challenge for his Big Brother

Well Done Oscar.. Oscar ran 50 miles (80km) in 41 days in support of Lewis. Oscar completed the challenge on Saturday (11th Nov) while pushing Lewis wheelchair over the finish line.

Oscar came up with the idea for the challenge ahead of Lewis' 21st birthday.. "Lewis' legs don't work, but I'm lucky that mine do. I used my legs to run for him".

"We are so very proud of Oscar for what he has done for his big brother. For him to want to do this for his brother is so thoughtful and caring. I know we are biased but what a caring thing to do for someone so young", Gary Herbert.
Read more.. Nov 2023 - Oscar's 50 Mile Challenge

Nov 2023 - Charity Fundraiser to Celebrate Lewis 21st Birthday

Hi all, we have decided to not do Lewis' cricket and music fundraising day next summer as we just don't have the time to plan it properly as we have so much going on!. We are however going to be actively fundraising for him during the next 6 weeks leading up to his 21st Birthday in November.

We will be doing some online auctions and challenges and for those who wish to donate to the Life for Lewis Appeal for his 21st Birthday then we are using a Go-Fund-Me Fundraising page:
www.gofundme.com/f/life-for-lewis-appeal-21st-birthday
Read more.. Nov 2023 - Lewis Turns 21 Fundraiser

Oct 2022 - Andy Parker Runs London Marathon

I have seen the London marathon on tv and I have been to watch it in London as a spectator a couple of times, and I have always thought how cool it would be to take part.

For around 10 or so years I have always entered the ballot. I could’ve signed up and taken one of the charity places but I didn’t want to be tied into a particular charity as my main aim was to be able to do it for Life For Lewis, that’s why I had to rely on a ballot entry.
Read more.. Oct 2022 - London Marathon

Nov 2020 - Lewis Turns 18 Birthday Messages

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Lewis
Happy Birthday to you

Wishing our very special and precious Lewis a happy 18th birthday!

Read more.. Nov 2020 - Lewis Turns 18

July 2020 - Steve Bellew's Le Cricket Ground Cycling Tour

Stony Cricket Legend Steve Bellew raises an incredible £8,600 for the Life for Lewis Appeal.

Stony cricket legend Steve Bellew has just completed an incredible challenge of cycling to 18 different cricket grounds in 18 days to mark Lewis’ 18th Birthday. During this challenge he covered an amazing 536 KM on his bike, and in turn raised an incredible £8,600 + gift aid for the L4L appeal. This was an amazing achievement and something which Steve should be extremely proud of.
Read more.. July 2020 - Le Cricket Ground Cycling Tour

June 2020 - L4L 5k Challenge #WALK #RUN #BIKE

With Lewis' 18th Birthday approaching quickly (12th Nov 20) and with him desperately needing some new bespoke replacement mats for his sensory room at home, we have decided to see if any of our wonderful L4L supporters would be willing to complete the L4L5kCHALLENGE to help us towards the cost of replacing his mats which are now 5yrs old, worn, and are not helping his scoliosis (curvature of the spine) as he sinks into them, plus they are really difficult to us and his carers to walk on now. He requires some firmer bespoke mats for his sensory room as soon as possible.

So the challenge is to either Walk, Run or Bike 5k and then please donate £5, as well as then nominating 3 of your friends to complete the challenge as well (tagging the Life for Lewis Appeal in your post @lifeforlewisappeal).

Due to the current situation with COVID the fundraising event we were going to do to mark his 18th year will no longer take place, so this is the replacement fundraiser for the cancelled event.

Please get involved if you can as it would really help us towards the cost of his new firmer bespoke sensory mats which are desperately needed.

Many thanks all.
Team Herbert xx Read more.. June 2020 - L4L 5k Challenge

June 2021 - Classic Tough Mudder Team Challenge Sat June 12th 2021 (Belvoir Castle, Grantham)

LIFE FOR LEWIS 2021 TEAM CHALLENGE EVENT TO CELEBRATE LEWIS’ 18TH YEAR!.
TOUGH MUDDER CLASSIC MIDLANDS 2020 TEAM CHALLENGE.
Date to be confirmed.. Saturday 12th June 2021. 8-10 Miles with 25 different Obstacles.

Tough Mudder organisers have postponed the 2020 event due to the Coronavirus, the new date will be in June 2021.

In 2020 Lewis will enter his 18th year (Finger Crossed!). This will be a real landmark for him and us as a family and it is truly remarkable that he has got to this age with all that he has had to cope with over the years with his severe and extremely disability. He literally fights each day to stay alive. Read more.. June 2021 - Tough Mudder Team Challenge

Feb 2020 - Race For Lewis Park Fun Run in Abington Park on 29th February 2020

Four Northampton College Business students, Olivia Stokes, Lewis Knowlton, Isabelle Bull and Maria Sirghi organised a 5K Park Run in Abington Park as part of their business studies course.

Total Raised: £260
Read more.. Feb 2020 - Race for Lewis Park Run

Nov 2019 - Swanny and Blowers sing Happy Birthday at the Derngate Theatre

Happy Birthday 17th Birthday to Lewis from Graeme Swann, Henry Blowfeld and the whole crowd at the Derngate Theatre.
Read more.. Nov 2019 - Swanny and Blowers sing Happy Birthday

Oct 2019-20 - Marathon Year: 52 marathons in 52 weeks for my 18th year - CHALLENGE SUSPENDED

After a lot of thinking and deliberation I have reluctantly decided to put on hold my challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks for Lewis with immediate effect. We are all in unprecedented times and it is unrealistic and not feasible for me to be able to go out for 4 hours plus running at a time at this current time

It is very likely that Lewis won’t return to school until September and with Oscar and Kira both being off school for the foreseeable future as well, and us having to do their home schooling on top of everything else we have to do, then there is simply not enough time to fit it in at the moment.

We have also decided to not have any of Lewis’ wonderful carers in at this point in time and for the foreseeable future due to the virus, so we will be having to do everything for Lewis on our own 24-7 which is going to be extremely testing and demanding for us, but it is the right thing to do in the current climate.
Read more.. Oct 2019-20 - 52 Marathons in 52 Weeks. Full Statement

Sept 2019 - Kay and Chris Knight Raise an amazing £600 on their wedding day

Words from Lewis..
A massive thank you to Kay and Chris for doing this for me. It really was such a kind, thoughtful and caring thing to do, and the funds really will help me be able to get the equipment I require due to my due severe disability. A big heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of their wedding guests who donated to my Life for Lewis Appeal it’s extremely appreciated. I hope you all had lots of fun on the day and didn’t drink too much!!!, Lots of Love Lewis xxx. Read more.. Sept 2019- Wedding Day Donation.. Kay and Chris Knight

Sept 2018-19 - Running 1,600 Miles and Going Sober for 1 Year

I have decided not to do a main event for the Life for Lewis Appeal in 2019, instead the only challenge I will be doing is the small matter of trying to run 1600 miles in a year (100 miles for each year of his life so far), as well as not having any alcohol for a whole year.

The Final Analysis
My final year long running graph for my challenge for Lewis. I managed to run a total of 1835 miles in the year. Completed in 156 runs, 246hrs (10 days) total running time, at an average of 11.76miles every run, and 60 half marathons (more than one a week). Quite proud of that to be honest.

JustGiving online donations - click here

June 2019: Herby’s Final Furlong to the Hart (1600th and final mile)
June 29th: I did it!, I really don’t know how, but I did!. 1600 miles ran in 10 months (2 months ahead of schedule and in only 132 runs (An average of 160 miles every month, and 40 miles every week, and an average of 12miles per run!)

There have been plenty of really dark moments and countless self-doubts on a weekly basis about whether I would be able to get to, or get anywhere close to my mileage target. It has quite simply been the hardest and most relentless thing I have EVER done in my life, and my body has been in absolute bits!.

Thank you to all those who have supported me and given generously to Lewis’ appeal, it really has kept me going and it will never be forgotten. Actually feeling quite proud of my achievement as well as extremely emotional!. Can’t quite comprehend it all at the moment, but once it’s sunk in it will be an achievement I will be able to look back upon with a tremendous amount of pride I'm sure. Read more.. Sept 2018-19 - Running Sober

June 2019 - Negroni Week at Nuovo Restaurant in Northampton Raises an Amazing £200

Nuovo Italian restaurant in Abington street, Northampton raised an wonderful £200 for the Life for Lewis Appeal during their Negroni week back in June. For a week they created 6 different Negroni drink variations for their customers and a percentage of each sale went to Lewis’ appeal.

We would like to say a massive heart felt thank you to Stewart and Charlie Wright, and the rest of the NUOVO team for doing this for Lewis, it was extremely kind and thoughtful of you and extremely appreciated. Big thank you also to all those who sampled a Negroni during the week Read more.. June 2019 - Negroni Week 24-30th June

May 2019 - Milton Keynes Marathon 2019

As part of the 1600 miles in a year challenge, I decided to go for a stroll around Milton Keynes.. it just happened to be the Milton Keynes Marathon !

Thank you everyone for your really kind and supportive messages for my MK Marathon today. It’s really kind and very thoughtful of you all. I really struggled today between miles 18 and 26.2 and was just pleased to get round in one piece to be honest!, legs just didn’t want to work today for some reason!. Finished in 4hrs 34secs, but my goodness it hurt!

These pictures fully sum up how I was feeling at the different stages of the MK Marathon on Monday. Not difficult to tell which photo was at 23 miles!. Read more.. May 2019 - MK Marathon 2019

Oct 2018 - Life for Lewis 'Ryder Cup' Charity Golf Day

Lloyd Groom arranged a golf day for the Life for Lewis Charity Golf Day Friday 12th October 2018.

We are delighted to announce that the "Life for Lewis Charity Golf Day 2018" raised and incredible £7,200. Thank you to each and everyone of you who supported the event, we really cannot comprehend everyone’s support and generosity towards Lewis and our whole family xx Read more.. Oct 2018 - Charity Golf Day

Sept 2018 - St. Anthony's School 3-a-side Football Tournament

St. Anthony's School raise a wonderful £210 for the Life for Lewis Appeal playing in a 3-a-side footie tournament. Read more.. Sept 2018 - St. Anthony's Football Tournament

Sept 2018 - Abseiling Down the Northampton Lift Tower

Gary Rock abseils 418ft down the Northampton Lift Tower and raises an amazing £800 for the Life for Lewis appeal.
Read more.. Sept 2018 - Abseiling Northampton Lift Tower

Sept 2018 - Thames Path Challenge Putney Bridge to Henley-on-Thames (Maya Warren & Tamzin Ford)

On 8th September, 2018, Maya Warren and Tamzin Ford raised an amazing £672.00 (AND SMASHED THEIR £10/MILE TARGET) for the Life For Lewis Appeal by completing the 100km (62 mile) Thames Path Challenge from Putney Bridge to Henley-on-Thames. Read more.. Sept 2018 - Thames Path Challenge

May 2018 - Boot Camp boys raise an incredible £1500 for the Life For Lewis Appeal

Nick Harvey-Bain (Chief organiser) said;
“The Rat Race Dirty Weekend is the biggest and best obstacle race in the world. Located at Burghley House near Peterborough, the course consists of a gruelling 20 mile race over 200 obstacles including water, tunnels, walls, and the worlds longest monkey bar obstacle. A team of 5 of people, Nick Harvey-Bain, Simon Church, Jason Kenney, Ben O’Donegan and Bob Gregitis completed the course in 6 hours and 27 minutes and in doing so raised over £1500 for the Life for Lewis charity”. Read more.. May 2018 - Rat Race Dirty Weekend

March 2018 - Oakley (Bedford) 20 Mile Run

CALLING ALL RUNNERS !! - LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE AND TO GET FIT IN 2018? - THEN LOOK NO FURTHER - 6 MONTHS TO TRAIN!!!

Right all you lovely people, my main fundraising event of 2018 is the Oakley (Bedford) 20 mile run on Sunday 18th March.
Read more.. March 2018 - Oakley 20 Mile Run

Nov 2017 - Daddy's Ridiculous November Running Challenge !

Me and my big mouth!, ever had the feeling you've bitten off more than you can chew!.

25 November 2017 a day to remember..
I did it !, I really don't know how, but I've managed to run 200 miles in November (Completed in 13 runs at an average of 15.42miles per run). It was all done for you Lewis, I love you so much and I will always be there for you fighting your corner.

Thank you so much to all those who have already sponsored me I really do appreciate your support, and if anyone else wishes to sponsor me then that would be amazing and extremely appreciated. #AndRELAX

Much love, an exhausted and emotional Gary xx
Read more.. Nov 2017 - 200 Mile Marathon Challenge

Nov 2017 - Kerridge Commercial Systems Dress Down Day and Guess the Pumpkin Weight

Massive thank you to David Liddle and Margaret Liddle, and everyone from Kerridge Commercial Systems who helped raise an amazing £250 towards Lewis’ appeal for their dress down day, and guess the weight of the pumpkin last Friday (3rd November 2017). Thank you, we appreciate it so much.

Lots of love the Herbert’s xx Read more.. Nov 2017 - Kerridge Commercial Systems

Sept 2017 - Wedding Day Donation.. Bill & Tina Scott

On their wedding day.. Bill & Tina Scott raised an incredible £800 for the Life for Lewis appeal

Wedding Day speeches from friends of the Bride & Groom..
Read more.. Sept 2017 - Wedding Day Donation.. Bill & Tina Scott

Aug 2017 - Charity Band Day at Old White Hart, Northampton

What: Charity Band Day 2017
When: 27th August 2017, 3pm till Late. FREE Entry
Where: Old White Hart, Cotton End, Northampton. NN4 8BS

The Sun was out.. the Beer flowed.. and the Bands banged out some fine tunes !

What We said..
"Charity band day. Wow! What an amazing afternoon! Thank you again to everyone who came out to support us! We truly are so grateful to you all! It was such a wonderful day with all the amazing music! Tony Young you are such an amazing friend! ! Thank you again!" Read more.. Aug 2017 - Charity Band Day (Old White Hart)

July 2017 - Bake Sale at Hackleton Primary School

Ready Steady Bake..

Kezia Parker and Jacob Chambers arranged a Bake Sale at Hackleton Primary School on 6th July 2017 selling Cakes, Biscuits and Sweets. Read more.. July 2017 - Bake Sale Hackleton Primary School

May 2017 - I've got a brand new combine harvester.. err sorry.. A Brand New Website !

I've got a brand new website designed for mobile devices.

It is a fully mobile compliant responsive web design and can be viewed on desktops, tablets and mobile phones. Read more.. May 2017 - New Website !

Feb 2017 - Running the Silverstone Half Marathon on 12th February 2017

"Right, I've been sat here for an hour trying of think of what to say to sum up today. Words will never be enough to express how we really feel about you all!. I truly know how tough it must have been for you all to achieve what you have today!. It hurts!, it really hurts, and for you all to want to do that to help Lewis is mind boggling!. We are so incredibly lucky to have you all in our lives, and for you all to want to support and help him is simply amazing."

Love you all xx
Gary and Lexi xx
Read more.. Feb 2017 - Silverstone Half Marathon

Sept 2016 - Northampton Half Marathon Challenge on Sunday 4th Sept 2016

Mummy and Daddy have decided to run the Northampton half marathon on Sunday 4th Sept 2016 to try and raise money towards my appeal.

This is going to be a massive challenge for them both, as the furthest Mummy has run is 5k, and the furthest Daddy has managed is about half a mile!. Read more.. Sept 2016 - Northampton Half Marathon Challenge

Summer 2016 - Meeting Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson at Trent Bridge

Hanging out with Swanny at the Cricket! Read more.. Summer 2016 - Meeting Cricketing Superstars

Summer 2015 - Steven Crook Runs4Funds Charity Season for Northants CCC

Runs4Funds is a fundraising initiative founded by Northamptonshire Steelbacks all-rounder, Steven Crook, that was born following an emotional meeting with two inspirational parents of Northampton-born, Lewis Herbert.

Lewis and his family’s story was covered in the local newspaper, where they spoke of their efforts to recruit fundraisers to help raise enough money to provide much-needed facilities and equipment for 12 year old LGS-sufferer, Lewis.

Throughout the 2015 season, Steven supported the A Life For Lewis Appeal by helping raise nearly £5,000 towards a much needed sensory garden for Lewis to enjoy. Read more.. Summer 2015 - Steven Crook Runs4Funds

Latest Life for Lewis Appeal News

June 2018 - Super Heroes & Villains 5k Father's Day Fun Run Raises £2.5k

Super Heroes & Villains 5k Father's Day Fun Run!

Latest Life for Lewis Appeal News

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