Jasper’s Journey

Jasper’s Journey Welcome to Jasper’s Journey! My 8 year old son Jasper from Mumbles, had a rare condition, APDS & is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant.

Here we share his journey, raise awareness, & celebrate his strength. Thank you for your support🫶

Jasper SMASHED HIS FIRST RACE 💪He was super excited (and a little nervous!) heading into his FIRST EVER race.No walking....
08/06/2026

Jasper SMASHED HIS FIRST RACE 💪

He was super excited (and a little nervous!) heading into his FIRST EVER race.

No walking. Just pure determination from start to finish. The crowd support was incredible and carried him all the way through 🙌

Jasper ran the entire race and loved every second of it. He said it was tough… but he’s officially caught the racing bug 🏃‍♂️

He’s already excited for the races he’s got coming up later this year!

Thank you so much to everyone who cheered, shouted, and supported Jasper along the way — it meant everything ❤️

Because of you, the fundraiser has now reached an incredible £2,460 for Louie's 🤯

YOU, alongside Jasper, are helping so many children and families, no matter their diagnosis.

THANK YOU 🧡



https://raise.louiestrust.org/jasper-hodgson-smith

Jasper now has his RACE NUMBER! 🏃‍♂️🧡He’s feeling a little under the weather today, but after so many races over the yea...
06/06/2026

Jasper now has his RACE NUMBER! 🏃‍♂️🧡

He’s feeling a little under the weather today, but after so many races over the years having to be cancelled, we’re just hoping today can be a proper rest day to get him ready for tomorrow’s Swansea race for Louie's 💪

Keep an eye out on Jasper Stories tomorrow for updates. If anyone is around and spots Jasper, please shout out and give him some support, he’d absolutely love it 🙌💛

Fingers crossed for a strong, steady day tomorrow. Thank you for all your support ✨💪

03/06/2026

✨

Lexi wanted to be seen as more than just a patient. She wanted to be heard.

Lexi showed that to children like Jasper and so many others.

So Lexi created a powerful letter sharing how medical staff can truly make a difference to children like her. Now her voice is being shared across hospitals through .

Please help and share 💛

If you work in, or know of, a hospital where Lexi’s letter could be shared, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

👉 https://vimeo.com/1127440295

Bubble Louie's Joseph’s Jacob Morgan’s Mercy’s The Abilities Noah's Ark Swansea Welsh Blood Cancer Leo's Immunodeficiency

✨ Lexi’s Letter 💔In August 2023, Jasper was diagnosed with APDS and at the time, there were only around 35 known cases i...
03/06/2026

✨ Lexi’s Letter 💔

In August 2023, Jasper was diagnosed with APDS and at the time, there were only around 35 known cases in the whole of Britain.

Not long after, we were told that Jasper would need a bone marrow transplant 255 miles away from home.

Knowing just how rare APDS is, and how rare it is to meet another child going through the same journey, we never imagined Jasper would find someone to connect to.

Before we travelled for transplant, I connected with a lovely mum, Liz, whose daughter Lexi was already going through her own transplant for APDS. We stayed in touch, and although our timings weren’t meant to align, life had other plans.

When we arrived, it was bittersweet as Lexi had retuned.

Lexi had been diagnosed at just 4 years old, and in 10 years, Jasper was the first person she had ever met with APDS.

The bond between them was instant.

They played on their switches together, spent time on the day ward, laughed in the halfway house… just kids, finding normality in a place that is anything but.

Lexi was everything you would hope for in a friend, warm, kind, funny, and so full of life.

Saying goodbye was emotional, as Lexi continued on her journey and we headed home.

And then came the news we never wanted.

In September 2025, 9 months exactly today, Lexi sadly passed away at just 14 years old as a result of complications arising from her transplant 💔

During her time in hospital, Lexi met countless medical professionals. But more than anything, she wanted to be seen and heard. Not just as a patient, but as Lexi.

A person. A girl. A voice.

So Lexi used her voice to make a change.

Lexi created a letter for medical staff by sharing her thoughts, her feelings, and simple but powerful ways they could make a difference to children like her.

’s parents, Liz, Andy and Lexi’s sister Ella are making sure Lexi’s voice continues to be heard as is now being shared across hospitals throughout the UK.

Now we want to help it go further.

If you work in, or know of, a hospital where Lexi’s letter could be shared, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

Let’s help Lexi’s Letter reach as many people as possible.

Let’s make sure Lexi is heard.

Let’s let her change the way children are seen and cared for.

Because she deserves that.

And so do they 💛

Blog: https://www.touchdesign.co.uk/blog/332-how-lexis-letter-was-written-by-lexis-mum

LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lexisletter

Video: https://vimeo.com/1127440295

Disclaimer - permission to share x
Bubble Louie's Joseph’s Smile Jacob Crane Mercy’s Mighty Leo's Army Hope for Albie A Team for Teddie Stargirl light -know Au Morgan’s Army Blood Eden the Brave InclusAbility Swansea NAS Immunodeficiency Anthony Nolan Welsh Noah's Ark

Jasper SMASHED his PB at Swansea junior parkrun 💪 💥He did amazing last week… but somehow he’s gone and smashed it again ...
31/05/2026

Jasper SMASHED his PB at Swansea junior parkrun 💪 💥

He did amazing last week… but somehow he’s gone and smashed it again this week - 11:52!! ⏱️🔥

He’s going from strength to strength, all off his own determination (even when he’s up at 6am ready to go 😅)

So incredibly proud of him 🧡

And now… onto his first ever race next Sunday for Louie's. If you are around for the Swansea Half Marathon for kids please give Jasper a little shout. He’d love it!

Good luck Jasper 🤞✨

parkrun junior parkrun UK

Jasper WORKED for Louie's Donations at Mumtaz Mumbles 💪And he absolutely loved every second of it 🥹A huge THANK YOU to e...
23/05/2026

Jasper WORKED for Louie's Donations at Mumtaz Mumbles 💪

And he absolutely loved every second of it 🥹

A huge THANK YOU to everyone at Mumtaz, especially Zaman and Zayed, who were incredible with Jasper and his buddy Ibrahim 🧡

They made them feel so welcome and gave them proper little jobs to get stuck into.

From cleaning windows and floors, dusting (even the ceilings!), helping with takeaways, and even going out on a delivery… he just got on with it all without stopping.

Jasper was also completely fascinated watching how they make onion bhajis!

And to top it all off… he finished his shift with an onion bhaji and a chicken tikka masala, which he was VERY chuffed about 😄

HUGE Thanks to Mumtaz, two lovely sisters who donated, and a lovely lady, the boys raised an amazing £65 💛

After everything Jasper went through last year with his bone marrow transplant for APDS, Louie’s were there for us when we needed it most. Not just financially, but emotionally too. That’s why, as a family, we’re so determined to give something back in 2026.

Jasper has four races coming up this year as part of his fundraising… but in his own words,
“I don’t just want to ask for donations, I want to work for them.” 💪

So this is exactly what he’s doing.

If any local businesses would like Jasper to come in for an hour to help out, cleaning tables, restocking, anything he can do, he would absolutely love it, in exchange for a donation to Louie’s. (Mum will be there too 😊)

If you’d like to get involved or simply donate, please see the link 👉 https://raise.louiestrust.org/business-donations

Thank you all so much for your continued support 💛

Mumbles Au Tiny Tots Mermaid Graze Team Mumbles

NOT ALL BATTLES ARE VISIBLE. Medical Families Carry So Much Emotional Weight Behind the Scenes. Having a child with medi...
20/05/2026

NOT ALL BATTLES ARE VISIBLE. Medical Families Carry So Much Emotional Weight Behind the Scenes.

Having a child with medical needs brings a level of emotion, not just the trauma and constant worry, but the financial pressure, the exhaustion, and the sleep deprivation. For some families, there is also the added weight of grief or loss, which deepens everything even further. It’s a pressure many carry silently every single day. Please remember there is always help 🫶

It’s something I’m mindful of every day with Jasper. I remind him how far he’s come, how strong he is, and just how precious life is.

Yesterday I joined John and Graham for a section of their JOGLE hike across Britain, 25.2 miles from Ludlow to Hereford, day 33 of 43, raising awareness and funds for su***de prevention in memory and legacy of their boys, Jake and Sean 🫶

Along the way, the walking and talking was massive. Every person had a story, and almost everyone had been touched by su***de or had lost someone. Yet amongst that, there was so much kindness, openness, and genuine connection.

I’ve been following John after losing a close beautiful, kind and loving friend, Abii, who I’d known since we were babies and who sadly passed at 27, and my amazing friend’s brother, Radek. It changed my perspective on life.

Walking yesterday gave space to talk, reflect, no judgement, just understanding. Life is precious. I remind myself, and Jasper, of that every single day.

👉 Find out more about John and his
amazing journey - https://www.walking4hope.org

If you’re struggling, please don’t do it alone. You can call Samaritans on 116 123, text SHOUT to 85258, speak to your GP or NHS 111. And if you’re supporting someone who’s struggling, please reach out too, there are always people ready to listen and help carry the weight 🫶

Samaritans Bubble Louie's Joseph’s Mercy’s Morgan’s Morgans Hope-Charity Graham Walking and Talking 3 Dads Walking

JASPER UPDATE 💙Sickness bugs are definitely not my area of medical expertise 🤮Anything respiratory, I’m there, I’m on to...
20/05/2026

JASPER UPDATE 💙

Sickness bugs are definitely not my area of medical expertise 🤮

Anything respiratory, I’m there, I’m on top of it, I know exactly what signs and symptoms to look out for but this threw me.

We knew there was a stomach bug going around school… and then it hit us.

Jasper was poorly from both ends for 6 days. I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself. Watching him not eat, getting thinner, weaker… it was horrible. Thankfully, he only had a temperature for one day, but when it didn’t pass after 48 hours like you expect, I didn’t know how long it would last or what was coming next.

We’ve now seen the amazing team in Cardiff, they are all so lovely and always on hand when we need them, which never goes unnoticed.

All in all, Jasper is doing amazing. Even after a week of D&V, he’s bounced back, it took longer than I expected, but his chest is clear, his vitals are great, and he’s back to being himself.

He just keeps pushing through. He’s honestly epic 💙

Bubble Louie's

13/05/2026

REUNITED - SIX MONTHS APART.. This was their first moment back together, one year ago after Jasper had his bone marrow transplant 💛

We knew how hard it was being away from home.

But what we didn’t realise… was how hard it was for everyone else too.

Family and friends could only see snapshots, not the reality of each day.

The waiting. The worry. The unknown.

Jasper and Penelope aren’t just cousins, they’re more like siblings. Best friends. Always side by side.

But during Jasper’s transplant, everything changed.

For Jasper, it became his everyday.

But for Penelope… at just 5 years old, it was confusing and heavy in a way she couldn’t understand.

How do you process your person being 250 miles away?

Not coming home tomorrow… or the next day?

Not being at school…

Looking different… losing his hair…

She struggled.

And then this moment.

Pure love. Pure relief. A bond that never broke ✨

I didn’t share this at the time…
partly because I think I thought I’d get told off by the staff 😅 but mostly because I don’t think I’d processed being home yet myself.

Happy Moments 🫶

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