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Grieving Parents Launch Charity to Honor Premature Son's Legacy
18 Aug
Summary
- BBC Gladiators star Zack George and wife Samantha launch charity "Leo and Friends"
- Charity honors their premature son Leo who died after 13 days in neonatal care
- Zack George undertakes 13-day fitness challenge to raise funds for neonatal unit
In a heartbreaking yet inspiring turn of events, BBC Gladiators star Zack George and his wife Samantha have launched a new charity to support other families following the tragic loss of their premature son.
The couple's son, Leo, was born at just 23 weeks in March and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before passing away. Determined to honor Leo's memory and help others in similar situations, Zack and Samantha have established the "Leo and Friends" charity.
As part of their efforts, Zack has embarked on a grueling 13-day fitness challenge, performing around 800-850 burpees daily to raise funds for the neonatal unit that cared for their son. Zack explains that he wants to "suffer for the duration [Leo] was suffering for" and to show others it's okay to talk about the loss of a child.
The charity launch and Zack's challenge have been met with an outpouring of support, including from fitness coach Joe Wicks who joined Zack on the first day. Samantha, in her grief, says the charity is a way to "carry Leo on and build a legacy for him." The neonatal consultant who treated Leo has also commended the couple for their bravery and for "highlighting the difficulties" faced by families in similar situations.
