Charles's 1st birthday

By Lou Madgwick

We’ve chosen to raise much needed funds for Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation

This March marks Charles’s first birthday, a truly special milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible care and dedication of the NETS team and the Grace NICU staff.

Our son Charles was born with a congenital heart defect that caused his heart to fail on just his second day of life. He urgently needed specialist care to stabilise him and transport him from Dubbo to the extraordinary team at Grace NICU in Sydney. This critical transfer was only possible thanks to Alex and Maddy from NETS, who carefully flew our little boy to safety.

We then spent just over six weeks at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, first in the Grace Centre and later in the cardiac ward. During that time, Charles was surrounded by many other newborns needing intensive, around-the-clock care. Most babies in Grace have their own dedicated nurse due to the seriousness of their conditions, which really highlights how vital these services are.

Every single person involved in Charles’s care was exceptional. Their skill, compassion and commitment amazed us daily, and we feel incredibly fortunate to live in Australia where this level of specialised care is available. However, providing this care comes at a significant cost.

So this year, in lieu of birthday presents for Charles, we’d love to give back. If you’re able, please consider donating to help ensure other families (like ours) continue to receive the very best care when they need it most.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Charles’s first birthday! 


Thank you to my Supporters

$500

Lou And Jack

happy Birthday Dear Charlie

$500

Tim And Anna

Happy birthday Charlie x

$300

Mum & Mal

$250

Rob Olver

Great idea Lou

$200

Chris

$200

Til, Hugh And Dougie

Happy birthday beautiful Charles! What a year and what a fighter you are little man. All our love xxx

$100

Hannah Thomas

$100

Edwina

One year of the wonderful Charles 💕 lovely idea Lou and Jack xx

$100

James Alexander Hancock

Happy First Birthday Charles! Can’t wait to grow up side by side as your forever bestie, love from Jimmy xx

$100

Jim & Olivia Demetriou

Happy Birthday to Charlie Best wishes Jim & Olivia xxx

$100

Hugo, Amber & Teddy

Happy Birthday Charlie! What a brave little man you are… and what incredible parents you have. Lots of love, Hugo, Amber & Teddy xoxo

$100

The Pursehouse's

Happy Birthday Charlie! So blessed to be a part of your life and hope to see you soon. Cannot believe your ONE! Love The Pursehouses

$100

Wendy Mitton

Such a wonderful and worthy cause.

$100

Zoe Mccathie

Happy 1st Birthday Charlie boy! ❤️ Love Zoe and Harry

$100

Kim, Billy And Lucy

Happy birthday Charles! Love the brownings xx

$50

Isabelle Bastian

Happy birthday Charles and congratulations Lou & Jack on one whole year of parenting!

$50

Alexia Demetriou

Happy first birthday Charlie! Such a lovely idea Lou. Sending lots of love xx

$50

Liz

Happy birthday Charlie 💖

$50

Anonymous

$50

Sharkey Family

Happy birthday to the gorgeous Charles!

$50

Uncle Ben And Aunt Rachel

Happy birthday Charles xx

$30

Em Carter

Happy birthday to you beautiful Charles and congratulations to your amazing mum and dad x

$20

Angela Pitsilos

Happy Birthday Charles, love from Yiayia Angela xx