Grateful Livingston mum jumps at the chance to thank Ronald McDonald House for fantastic support

Jade Aitken's baby son was critically ill in Edinburgh's children's hospital

A Livingston mum is taking a leap of faith with a skydiving challenge to raise money for an independent charity that helped her family in its time of need.

Jade Aitken’s baby boy, 18-month-old Louie Lynas, struggled to poo from birth and doctors at first wrongly dismissed his condition as common nappy rash.

Louie’s parents faced months of uncertainty, worry, and a battle for answers as he struggled with his health and was left unable to pass stools for 10 challenging months.

In December last year, following a distressing visit to A&E, scans revealed that Louie had chronic constipation but the exact cause remained a mystery until his condition suddenly deteriorated.

The baby boy was then transferred by an emergency ambulance to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children.

There he was diagnosed with a rare condition, and Jade, 25, was informed that he had been born without a functioning anus. Unusually, Louie’s case was even rarer and he required immediate critical care, thrusting the family into an overwhelming, unfamiliar world. They were determined to remain close to Louie.

A family friend was one of the nurses responsible for Louie’s care and told the family about Ronald McDonald House, which is situated inside the hospital.

“When I first heard about Ronald McDonald House, I asked the nurse ‘Whereabouts is it? How far away?’ She replied, ‘It’s on the third floor’, I couldn’t believe it,” said Jade.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK operates 14 Houses across England, Wales, and Scotland, providing free ‘home away from home’ accommodation. They keep families together, close to their children while they’re in hospital, and provide a place to sleep, cook, and retain some sense of normal life.

The 25-bedroomed Ronald McDonald House Edinburgh on the top floor of the new children’s hospital provides accommodation free of charge. Last year, it accommodated 577 people who stayed for an average of 13 nights.

Having a place to stay within seconds of their son’s bedside was a huge relief for Jade and his dad, especially compared to the alternative. This exhausting commute took almost two hours due to heavy Edinburgh bypass traffic.

“Without Ronald McDonald House, we were ready to sleep in chairs or cars just to stay close,” Jade admits.

“We couldn’t believe there was so much under one roof. Kitchen, washroom facilities — it felt like someone understood exactly what we needed.”

Against the odds, Louie’s recovery defied expectations. Despite initially preparing for a four-week hospital stay, Louie was well enough to leave after just ten days. Learning quickly to manage his stoma bag, a daunting task even for adults, the family was allowed home sooner than anticipated. “Even though we were offered a trial night at Ronald McDonald House to see how he managed, his resilience amazed us,” said Jade.

Jade decided to give back and was jokingly challenged by Louie’s dad to do a skydive. Jade took up the challenge and launched a fundraising page, with an initial goal of £500, which was quickly smashed. Support flooded in from family, friends, and former colleagues, raising an astounding £4,000 within days and quickly surpassing the £5,000 mark.

The fundraising speed was unprecedented, catching the eye of Ronald McDonald House’s community fundraiser, Jane Powell, who suggested they could sponsor a room in honour of Louie’s journey.

“Jade’s incredible courage and generosity blow us away. Her skydive and extraordinary fundraising efforts mean families facing some of their hardest moments will have comfort and support when it matters most,” said Jane. “Fundraisers like Jade are the heartbeat of our charity, enabling us to continue providing a free ‘home away from home’ for families across Scotland.”

With the skydive rapidly approaching, Jade admits she’s both excited and nervous. She has drawn courage from a previous fundraising exploit.

“I remember standing at the edge of a bungee jump years ago, hesitant, and I jumped anyway. This time, I’ll have someone strapped to me, thank goodness,” she joked. “But every donation reminds me why I’m doing this: to help families facing challenges like ours. Ronald McDonald House was there for us when we needed them most.”

With another surgery ahead, the family know their journey isn’t over yet.

In a message to other parents who may find themselves in a similar situation, she added: “If you ever have the chance to stay at a Ronald McDonald House, take it. It means everything when your child needs you most.”

To support Jade’s skydive visit: www.justgiving.com/page/jade-aitken-1

To find out more about Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, visit: www.rmhc.org.uk

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