Archie was born in June 2005. His mother Katie, our senior buyer, had a trouble free pregnancy but suddenly it all went horribly wrong. After a harrowing ambulance journey to hospital Archie was delivered by emergency caesarean, just 9 minutes later. At birth he showed no signs of life so he was immediately taken to the Special Care Baby Unit where he was placed on a ventilator. Archie had been in a breech position which had not been picked up prior to labour. Due to this complication, his umbilical cord carrying his vital oxygen supply had been affected during the labour and had caused Archie serious brain damage.

After numerous tests and scans, the severity of the damage became apparent. But no one could really tell what life for Archie would be like. However Katie and her husband Mark were determined he would come home and have the best care they could possibly give him. Nearly 4 months later he did go home.

Archie was diagnosed with severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy, he was registered as severely visually impaired/blind, fed via a gastrostomy tube and suffered from epilepsy. Due to his inability to swallow he was highly susceptible to chest infections and he spent a great deal of time in hospital valiantly fighting a string of pneumonias. Despite these constant and enormous challenges Archie managed to enjoy and respond to a number of activities. He loved his bath, swings, walks, swimming, singing, musical toys, sensory play and above all his cuddles with his Mum and Dad. Sadly, after a short but full and challenging life Archie passed away early last year, aged 20 months.

During his life Archie and his family were helped enormously by two wonderful charities, The Bobath Centre and CHASE hospice care for children. These two charities do lots of wonderful work but they have become particularly special to Great Little Trading Company because they helped one of our own. The plan is to raise as much money as possible to allow them to support/care for/help other children like Archie, and other parents like Katie and Mark.

Why little lion? Archie was a lovely little boy, who Katie and Mark called "little lion", due to his roar like shouts and his enduring bravery.