Charity set up in Sam’s memory secures first award win

A charity born from the heartbreak of losing a little boy – which was recently backed by The Binary Bar and Restaurant – has been honoured with its very first award.

Sam’s Superheroes Foundation was set up by Rachel Liew, of Mickleover, after the sudden death of her five-year-old son Samuel, from Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) – a rare and devastating condition that triggers catastrophic and relentless seizures.

The organisation, which has been set up to fund critical research into FIRES, provides financial grants to families and offer emotional support through animal-assisted therapy.

Last month, a casino and fundraising dinner was hosted at The Binary to raise money for the charity, which has now been named Charity of the Year at the Lots for Tots Derbyshire Awards.

It is the first award for the foundation, a recognition for the team behind the charity and a heartfelt tribute to the young boy whose legacy inspires its work every single day.

Rachel said: “I honestly can’t put into words how much this means. To everyone who’s supported us, and to every child and family we’ve been lucky enough to be able to support in some small way, this award is for you.

“Four years ago, Sam was fighting for his life in critical care with FIRES. I prayed every second for a miracle… but for some reason my beautiful boy was only meant to be on this earth for five short years.

“I didn’t think I could survive losing Sam – but I followed my mother’s instinct, in the same way I did when he was born.

“I had this overwhelming urge to make a difference in his name and I knew I needed to pour all my love for Sam into something that could carry his beautiful light shining in the world for years to come.

“That’s how Sam’s charity was born – to make a difference in his name. Sam’s light keeps shining and this award is for him.”

Sam fell ill in March 2021 with what was believed to be a routine virus.

The former Silverhill School pupil was eventually diagnosed with FIRES; a condition which affects one in a million children.

Despite seven weeks in a medically induced coma, intensive treatments and extraordinary courage, Sam passed away in May 2021.

Sam’s Superheroes Foundation has pledged to raise £50,000 to help research into FIRES and increase awareness of the condition.

It also provides children in hospital with creative toolkits to help aid their healing and funds animal therapy for bereaved children, those facing mental health challenges and families affected by FIRES in the Derby area.

Daisy, Sam’s beloved Labrador, has also been trained as a therapy dog and helps children connect, express emotions and find comfort in ways they may not be able to with adults.

To make a donation to Sam’s Superheroes visit https://edge.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FIRESResearch.