FOUR months ago little Luca Williams was given a 3 per cent chance of survival after being struck down by meningococcal septicaemia.

The brave three-year-old spent two weeks in a drug-induced coma in intensive care and ultimately lost his lower legs to the condition.

Now he has inspired his parents to launch the Raise Your Hands for Luca campaign to raise awareness of the disease.

Luca’s parents have received a huge amount of support from well-wishers all over the world through their page on social networking site Facebook, and Twitter, as they bid to raise £1.5 million.

Celebrities including Wales rugby players Ryan Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, F1 drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel and pop star Pixie Lott have all pledged their support, posing for pictures with “For Luca” written on their hands.

Children at Pentrepoeth Primary School, where Luca’s mum teaches, also showed their support.

Luca showed no signs of being unwell when his parents put him to bed on January 6, but during the night when they checked on him they found he had developed a rash and was purple from head to toe.

The little boy underwent a number of treatments to replace fluid and blood lost due to the septicaemia and was put on dialysis to help keep him alive.

Luca slowly started to show signs of improvement, but septicaemia had ravaged his body, leaving him black from his hips to his toes.

Doctors waited to see what they could could repair of his body before taking the decision to operate to remove his lower legs.

During the operation Luca lost all of the tissue and skin below his hips, and has also suffered skin, tissue and muscle loss across his arms and shoulders, as well as severe damage to his knees.

Throughout his ordeal he has kept his parents, Mo Syed and Sian Williams, going, smiling through the pain and showing amazing courage.

They have now launched a campaign to help raise money to support Luca and raise awareness of meningococcal septicaemia.

Luca’s dad said: “Luca is an inspiration to us all every day.

“The courage he has shown has kept us positive and made us proud. We now hope he can maintain a positive attitude as he copes with the awful effects of the disease.”

Luca was back in hospital in Swansea over the weekend, after developing problems with his stomach.

He is also due to undergo more surgery on Thursday on his knee.


EDITORIAL COMMENT: You can give Luca a hand

WE have nothing but admiration for little Luca Williams.

He was struck down with a form of meningitis four months ago and as a result had both legs amputated.

We can’t imagine what he and his family are going through.

However, Luca, at just three years old, appears to be showing remarkable bravery in the face of such adversity.

And his parents, Mo and Sian, are the same and have even started a campaign to raise money to buy the little battler prosthetic legs and make his life easier.

It’s a campaign that has already touched the hearts of celebrities on Twitter like Phillip Schofield, Pixie Lott and many famous faces from the world of sport.

They have written ‘For Luca’ on their hands and posted pictures to show they are giving the boy “a hand” with his appeal.

It’s certainly got people talking about the appeal and given a it a good start.

What’s truly a shame is that the specific legs the parents want for their boy are unavailable on the NHS.

We believe children in this situation should be entitled to nothing but the very best.

Cost should never be a factor.

However, that is the situation this family have found themselves in but, instead of moaning about it, they have decided to turn it into a positive.

We hope they can reach their total of £1.5million soon. It’s a lot of money but with the power of celebrities and Twitter behind them, it’s achievable.

We wish them well and hope you’ll give them your support on Twitter by following them on @for_luca


Charity events already planned

FUNDRAISING events are already under way for Luca, with Newport schools running non-uniform days, a sponsored walk taking place at the Fourteen Locks Visitor Centre on Sunday at noon and a charity football event is also set for Whiteheads Social Club on June 24.

Luca’s parents are hoping to raise £1.5 million to help fund prosthetics for the brave boy to reach his potential.

The special prosthetics, which are not available through the NHS, will include powered ankles, hydraulic prosthetics, carbon blades, recreational prosthetics and silicon coverings.

To donate visit www.justgiving. com/forluca or text ‘LUCA80 £5 or £10’ to 70070.

For more information visit www.facebook. com/ forluca1 or follow Twitter @for_luca