Hi we are Jess & Jord, proud mummy and daddy to our 3yr old boy, Fox.
Background
In May 2025 Fox suddenly and unexpectedly become critically ill due to contracting Pulmonary Tuberculosis. This rapidly and silently spread to his brain causing meningitis (TBM - A rare illness with approximately 10 - 20 child cases per year in the UK)
Due to the infection Fox suffered an acute and subacute infarction (stroke) in the right MCA and ICA territory. The meningitis caused the CSF (Cerebal Spinal Fluid) to stop flowing through his brain subsequently causing Hydrocephalus and Epilepsy, Left field visual defect and left sided hemiplegia.
Fox underwent brain surgeries to firstly install an External Ventricle Drain (EVD) which ultimately helped reduce the pressure and seizures but identified that he actually needed a permanent shunt. He had another brain surgery to change it to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP Shunt).
There is no cure for Hydrocephalus and requires constant monitoring.
Fox spent 6 weeks in the Peadiatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton General Hospital where they diagnosed him, treated him and monitored him 24/7 with 1-1 or sometimes 2-1 specialist nursing. He mad dozens of CT, MRI/A, X-Ray, CFAM and EEG tests along with 2 brain surgeries to treat the Hydrocephalus.
He was then transferred to Peadiatric High Dependancy Unit where he continue to have specialist care for all of the complications along with big seizures.
He was moved to a specialist ward that dealt with peadiatric neurology and it is here he began to surprise us all.
Due to the ABI we did not know what 'version' of Fox we would be bringing home, (to the point when in intensive care we were told that he might not make it altogether). However, our little superstar started to talk, recalling our names, he started eating and drinking again. Slowly but surely he was rebuilding his body.
He underwent an extremely intensive rehabilitation programme which consisted of specialised Neurological Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Hydrotherapy and Speech and Language.
Fox hit many incredible milestones whilst at hospital, and we were discharged in late September.
Whilst at hospital we were thrown in the deep end as every parent is when their child is critically ill. During this entire process we have been supported wholeheartedly by many charities, but 4 charities provided us with the utmost compassion, dedication, love and support to help us ride this horrendous nightmare.
The charities are:
Friends of PICU
Words cannot express how we feel for this charity. This fund raiser is only the beginning.
Without them Fox wouldn't have been here, its as simple as that. They provide so much for the Peadiatric Intensive Care Unit, from specialist machinery and equipment to the ambulance and equipment inside which Fox was retrieved from QA. Family liason support, and help with Drs and consultants when tough decisions are being made. These people literally are superheroes.
Read more about them here:
Ronald McDonald House
This was a home away from home, their support and compassion allowed our family be close to Fox everyday. We slept here, free of charge for 5 months. The staff here are so wonderful. The families you meet are all walking similar paths to you and you're in it together. When Fox was fit enough for family time off the ward, they'd help us with anything and made sure we got what we needed.
RMD still are supporting us today as they are facilitating a safe space for us to allow Fox attened private physiotherapy from specialist neurological physiotherapist based in Southampton.
Read more about them here:
Sophies Legacy
This charity has become the backbone for families across the South when they visit hospital with their children for outpatient blood tests all the way to inpatient treatment. From the endless supplies of free snacks on all the wards and waiting rooms, to gormet freezer meals (for when you cannot leave the ward). They also provide fuel and supermarket vouchers, welfare check ins and toys and treats. Not only did we as parents benefit so greatly from their hard work, all 4 of our children did. This illness ripped through our family, and our 3 other children needed many trips to QA for weekly blood tests and various monitoring which Sophies Legacy was there to provide toys and treats to our distressed, anxious and scared children. It got to the point they helped arrange a play worker to meet and greet us at the entrance as our youngest 2.5yrs at the time (Fox's twin) recognised the entrance and hysterically cried at it because of all the outpatient tests he needed and the trauma that brought to him).
Read more about them here:
Finally, The Child Brain Injury Trust
Never knew this type of charity even existed until the Southampton Hospital coordinator introduced herself to us. Debbie has been a crucial anchor for brain injury advice, legal advice, DLA support, welfare check ins and ensuring our voices were heard during MDT meetings. Debbie still supports us today as she is heavily involved with supporting Fox's transition to pre school and eventually school. A medically and physically complex child like Fox needs someone like her from CBIT to support us in advocating that his needs are met fully.
Read more about them here:
Conclusion
We hope you understand and gain a little insight to why we are fundraising for these 4 incredible charities. This online fundraiser is a digital support for the in person family fun day fundraiser we are organising on Saturday 26th September 1.30pm to 5pm at the Havelock Community Centre, 324 Fawcett Road, Southsea PO4 0LQ.
There will be the following:
Stalls from all the charities we're fundraising for. You can meet Janine from Sophies Legacy who supported us in hospital and Debbie from the Child Brain Injury Trust along with some of fabulous team from Ronald McDonald House and of course the incredible team from Friends of PICU. (We're hoping to get some of the nurses and drs involved too, invites will be sent, so hopefully they can come!) And of course, we will be there along with Fox <3
We also have loads of family activities such as:
Face painting
Art Workshop
Bouncy Castle
Screen Printing
Cup Cakes
Oppurtinities to win ticketed goodies supported by local, national and international artsits and creatives and wonderful local businesses along with family games and activities.
So if you can make it in person please visit us on the day and donate generously if not use this online fundraiser to make a digital donation to these charities.
We cannot wait to celebrate Fox and the amazing charties that have and continue to support us, you and all the families that unexpectedly one day depend on them.
With Love and thanks, Jord and Jess (Fox's daddy and mummy) xxx
*all funds across digital and physical collections will be counted and distributed accordingly.