University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete > Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, UK
2,162 miles
Jess and Louis were on a 3-day babymoon in Crete when their son, Wilf, arrived unexpectedly at just 29 weeks. Born nearly three months early, Wilf was immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, with doctors predicting a 10-week stay. Overwhelmed and far from home, the couple didn’t know where to turn for help.
Then, a stroke of luck: Louis’ brother recalled meeting the founder of a charity that specialises in repatriating children just 10 days before Wilf's birth. He immediately reached out to our trustee, Patrick, and Lia’s Wings stepped in.
We provided emotional support and quickly laid out a plan. Lia’s Wings worked with the British Embassy to fast-track Wilf’s emergency travel documents, arranged an air ambulance, and secured a hospital in the UK for Wilf’s ongoing care. Jess and Louis felt an immense sense of relief as they were finally able to return home.
Bringing Wilf home to the UK was a turning point for Jess and Louis. Instead of just 25 minutes a day with him in Crete, they were finally able to be by his side 24/7, fully involved in his care. This invaluable time together helped Jess and Louis bond with Wilf and helped build a strong foundation for their family's future.
Louis shared:
“From that very first phone call, I can’t explain how much support and reassurance Lia’s Wings gave us. When you desperately need help and you receive support from extraordinary professionals who are calm and can help organise everything, you feel safe. It wasn’t just about the itinerary or medical help, it was the support we received. We knew someone was there to help us.”
Lia’s Wings ensured that Wilf’s journey home was more than just a transfer—it was a lifeline for his entire family.