Steynton couple 'Walk to Remember' their three-year-old son and help raise £7,000 for Ty Hafan
Almost eight years to the day that Michelle and Greg Murdoch lost their three-year-old son, Louis, to genetic spinal muscular atrophy, they have helped raise a mighty £7,000 by taking part in Tŷ Hafan’s first ever ‘A Walk to Remember’.
The couple joined 27 others walkers when they set off at dawn on September 14 to complete a six-mile hike along the coastal path from Penarth Pier to the Ty Hafan Hospice in Sully.
“It was eight years ago, almost to the day, that Louis passed away in Tŷ Hafan,” said Michelle, "but even though we live in Steynton, near Milford Haven, we like to come back to Tŷ Hafan for Louis’ birthday and for when he passed away. So we felt that taking part in the Walk to Remember was a really nice way to remember him.”
Michelle's son, Louis, was diagnosed with the genetic neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 when he was just five months old and was not expected to live to his first birthday. But he bravely fought his battle for three-and-a-half years, before passing away at Tŷ Hafan on September 17, 2016.
“Recently me and my daughter, Lily, went to a local Tŷ Hafan bereavement memory making class in Pembrokeshire,” continued Michelle.
“This class was a great way for a sibling like Lily to understand more about Tŷ Hafan as she was born after Louis passed away. Plus it was also a nice way for me to keep in contact with Tŷ Hafan."
Louis’ father, Greg, has also done a few individual fundraising events for Tŷ Hafan, including the London Marathon, while their friends and family have done lots of events and fundraising drives in memory of Louis, including the Taff Trail ride, Cardiff Half Marathon and many more.
"It means so much to us that our friends and family continue to support Tŷ Hafan in Louis’ memory, as he would be so proud," added Michelle.
The couple raised a total of £2,373 in their Walk to Remember, while the overall total currently stands at £7,000.
“Our aim was to raise £200,” said Michelle, “and I only put the Justgiving page up a week before the walk itself. In the event, we raised more than £2,000, which is amazing and we are so grateful for all the support.”
Steynton couple 'Walk to Remember' their three-year-old son and help raise £7,000 for Ty Hafan