Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

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Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

Continuing our support for Rainbows Hospice, we’re highlighting the remarkable story of two-year-old Willow, a young Fox whose bravery inspires us all.

2025-04-18T10:00+01:00

james-justin-conor-coady-willow-rainbows

by Admin

Published

18 Apr, 2025

Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

Continuing our support for Rainbows Hospice, we’re highlighting the remarkable story of two-year-old Willow, a young Fox whose bravery inspires us all.

Admin

2025-04-18T10:00+01:00

Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

Continuing our support for Rainbows Hospice, we’re highlighting the remarkable story of two-year-old Willow, a young Fox whose bravery inspires us all.

Admin

2025-04-18T10:00+01:00

Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

Continuing our support for Rainbows Hospice, we’re highlighting the remarkable story of two-year-old Willow, a young Fox whose bravery inspires us all.

Admin

2025-04-18T10:00+01:00

Willow's Story: Supporting Rainbows At King Power Stadium

Continuing our support for Rainbows Hospice, we’re highlighting the remarkable story of two-year-old Willow, a young Fox whose bravery inspires us all.

Admin

2025-04-18T10:00+01:00

Willow lives with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure
The two-year-old’s heart functions at just 20 per cent
Text LCFC plus the amount you wish to donate to 70580 to support
For example, to donate £5 text LCFC5 to 70580

Through The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, we’re dedicating Sunday’s fixture with Liverpool to Rainbows, giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of the incredible work they do across the East Midlands - supporting babies, children, young people and their families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

For Willow, who has Dilated Cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure, her heart currently functions at just 20 per cent capacity.

Described by her family as “incredible” and “so strong”, Willow has already overcome unimaginable obstacles in her short life.

Her parents, Chloe and Cole, were told they must “wrap their daughter in cotton wool” and that advice became painfully real just three weeks after Willow was born.

“Willow had been projectile vomiting, so our GP sent her to hospital,” Chloe recalls.

“Within 20 minutes, she went into cardiac arrest. I dread to think what would’ve happened if we weren’t already in hospital. We were in the right place at the right time - if not, she wouldn’t be here today.”

Doctors performed CPR for 50 minutes in total. At one point, they were ready to stop.

“They said they’d try for five more minutes, and she came back after three,” Chloe said. “I’m so grateful they gave her that extra time.”

Willow spent eight days in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit. An MRI later revealed something truly astonishing - despite being starved of oxygen for nearly an hour, Willow had suffered no brain damage.

Since then, her journey has included more hospital stays, complex surgery and a long list of daily medications. But through it all, Willow has shown extraordinary resilience - and her family have found strength and support through Rainbows Hospice.

It was during Willow’s recovery that Chloe and Cole were introduced to Katie, a Rainbows nurse, who helped guide them through a difficult transition from hospital to home.

“Katie told me about Rainbows and explained how the charity could help us. We were offered a week of Stepdown Care after leaving hospital and before going home, and that really helped us as I was worried about being on my own with Willow.

“At Rainbows, we were able to be a family again,” Chloe said. “We all slept in the same room, which meant so much after being apart for so long.

“We didn’t have to worry about anything - meals were cooked and we could focus on being together.

“Since that first stay, we love going to Rainbows. We have to be careful everywhere we go because of germs as Willow is so vulnerable. But at Rainbows, we always know she is safe.”

Rainbows has since become a sanctuary for the family. With Willow being extremely vulnerable to infection, everyday activities are often off-limits. But at Rainbows, she can swim in the specially heated hydrotherapy pool, attend baby groups and enjoy safe, sensory-rich experiences.

“Willow is all smiles when she’s there,” Chloe added. “She absolutely loves it. And the support groups help me too - it’s so important not to feel alone.”

Having recently turned two years old, Willow continues to amaze doctors. She takes eight different medications 14 times a day and requires a lot of rest - but she’s fighting hard to reach every milestone.

This weekend, as we prepare to take on Liverpool on Filbert Way, we stand together in support of Willow, her family and everyone at Rainbows Hospice.

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HOW TO SUPPORT RAINBOWS

Donate: As a charity, Rainbows is almost entirely dependent on people like you to provide the funds that keeps its services going.

Whether you’re attending our dedicated matchday at King Power Stadium or simply looking to support Rainbows from home, every donation goes directly towards their efforts in ensuring every baby, child, young person and family can depend on Rainbows when they need them the most.

Text LCFC plus the amount you wish to donate to 70580 to support Rainbows. For example, to donate £5 text LCFC5 to 70580.

Volunteer: The Hospice’s volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing a variety of experiences, backgrounds and skills, making them truly extraordinary!

No matter the role you are interested in, there is a common goal: together, Rainbows can make a difference to babies, children, young people and families in the East Midlands.

Some people want to make a positive difference to those Rainbows support, while others want to develop new skills or simply want to meet new people and have fun.

Whatever the reason, there are so many ways you can help, so if you have an hour to spare or a whole day, Rainbows would love to hear from you.

Fundraise: Runners, bakers and superheroes unite… in fundraising to support the work done to help brighten short lives across the East Midlands.

Rainbows love talking to supporters and helping any way they can, so please contact your local Community Fundraiser who can help, or why not send an email or call the Hospice on 01509 638049.

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