Community fundraising mum gives back to Children’s Ward that cared for her family
A Wirral mum whose children both needed neonatal care at Wirral University Teaching Hospital is giving back to the Children’s Ward that supported her family during some of the most challenging moments of her life.
Kirsty Lewis, 36, from Wallasey, is a Women’s Health and Fitness Coach at Snap Fitness who has spent the past two years fundraising for WUTH Charity, driven by her own experiences of living with Crohn’s disease and becoming a mum.
Kirsty’s connection to the hospital runs deep. Both her son and step-son were born on the neonatal unit, at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital at the Trust’s Arrowe Park site, and she also required hospital care when her baby was just three months old. The care and compassion her family received left a lasting impression.
She said: “When you’ve been through hospital care yourself, you never forget it. Those early days were overwhelming at times, but the staff on the Children’s Ward were incredible. They looked after my children, and they looked after me too.
“These are the hospitals that supported my family during some really vulnerable moments, so when I was able to give something back, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.”
Living with Crohn’s disease was a turning point in Kirsty’s life and career. After discovering how strength training, nutrition and mindset practices such as yoga and meditation transformed her own health, she moved into the fitness and wellbeing industry with a health-first approach focused on long-term resilience rather than appearance.
Kirsty added: “Crohn’s disease completely changed my relationship with my body. Movement and nourishment didn’t just make me feel stronger physically, they gave me my quality of life back. That’s why everything I do now is about long-term wellbeing, not quick fixes.
“That confidence and resilience doesn’t just help you cope, it puts you in a position where you can give back too.”
Over the past two years, Kirsty has taken on a number of fundraising challenges, including a 10k run and the Wirral Santa Dash. Through her work, she also supports and trains a community of women from her gym, many of them busy mums, who regularly come together to take on fundraising events in support of WUTH Charity.
Her next challenge will see Kirsty and members of her gym community take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk on Sunday 7th June 2026, continuing their commitment to raising funds for local hospital services.
Kirsty added: “I work with a lot of mums who put themselves last. Helping them prioritise their health isn’t just about feeling stronger or more confident, it’s about being there for their families.
“I want our sons and daughters to grow up seeing women caring for their health as something normal and empowering. Fundraising for WUTH allows me to align my personal story, my values and my work, while supporting the hospitals that supported me when I needed it most.”
Phil Crawford, Fundraising and Events Fundraiser at WUTH Charity, said: “Community fundraisers like Kirsty are absolutely vital to what we do. Her story is incredibly powerful, and the commitment she and her gym community show year-round makes a real difference to patients and families across our hospitals.”
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “Kirsty’s fundraising journey is a wonderful example of how personal experiences can inspire positive change for others. The funds raised through WUTH Charity help us enhance care and improve experiences for patients and families, and we are incredibly grateful for her continued support.”
Funds raised through WUTH Charity continue to support projects that matter most to local communities, helping to enhance care and improve experiences for patients, families and staff across Wirral University Teaching Hospital.
To take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk, fundraise, donate or find out more about supporting WUTH Charity, please contact the charity team at wuth.charity@nhs.net.