Noah Souvatzis’s Legacy for the RCH

Steph and Ben are dear friends of mine and have shared their story below.

 

At the end of 2021, whilst on holiday, we went through every parent's worst nightmare - we lost our beautiful little boy Noah Souvatzis to meningitis. In the space of 24 hours he went from being a happy, joyous toddler playing with his new Christmas toys, to leaving our world at only 19 months old. After multiple mistakes and oversights from other hospitals who tragically did not take our concerns seriously, our little boy was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Here, he and we received the utmost care, ensuring the three of us could spend his final night as a family all together. It is in our darkest moments that we are reminded of how supportive, loving and respectful the medical personnel at RCH were, and for that we will be forever grateful.

 

During our stay at the hospital, the staff mentioned they would bring in an armchair for us, so we could both sit as close to Noah as possible - instead they brought in an entire hospital bed, allowing Noah to be placed between us both, and for all three of us to spend one last night all sleeping next to each other, with Noah cuddled between us. We will never forget this generosity, and it has provided us with so much peace in the harrowing weeks that have followed.

 

This special gift was only possible due to the fact the hospital was so quiet at that time, being the lull between Christmas and New Year. Since then, we have enquired whether other parents would be gifted this moment in their child’s last days. In response, we were told that it is not a resource they have readily available, but so desperately would like to provide to other children's parents in our position.

 

As such, we as a family are committing to raising enough money to buy a hospital bed for the Royal Children's Hospital, with the sole purpose of it being used for families to sleep and lie with their child during their end of life.

 

Noah loved nothing more than being outside and running around - as soon as he learnt to walk, he was off, and usually running in the opposite direction of anywhere we wanted him to go. In his honour, Ben, as well as many of our friends and family members, will be running a half marathon, whilst others have committed to a smaller 6km run, in the Great Ocean Road Marathon in May (14-15). This event is to be held only days after Noah was to turn 2, thus we will be lacing up to run near the beach, just like Noah would have loved to do. Our team, ‘Run for the Shank’, will be directly raising funds for the Royal Children’s new hospital bed. We ask that you donate any amount possible in the hope we can provide other families with sick children a moment of peace, gratitude and calm in what is to be one of the hardest moments of their lives.

 

If you feel inspired to run also, you are most welcome to join our team - there are multiple events being held over the weekend to suit all varying levels of fitness and ability.

Team name: Run for the Shank

Password: Noah

 

We would also love if you could please share this link far and wide so we can raise as many funds as possible.

 

Thank you for all your love and support during this tragic time,

 

Steph & Ben Souvatzis x


** Steph and Ben are the organisers of this fundraiser. On closure of the fundraiser the money will be withdrawn by me (Louisa) and immediately transferred to their account so they can make the donation to the hospital personally.