If you’re based in the UK and love a bit of nostalgia, chances are you’ve been watching the new series of Gladiators. But behind the big screen and athletic personas, some of these Gladiators are facing the kind of battles no one ever signs up for.
Zack George, known on screen as Steel, recently shared something deeply personal and heart-breaking. Zack and his partner Samantha lost their precious baby boy, Leo, after just 13 days in the NICU at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Thirteen tiny days. Thirteen days filled with more love, more fear, more hope, and more heartbreak than many will experience in a lifetime.
Their loss echoes through so many families. Because baby loss, whether it’s through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death, is still far too common. And sadly, it’s also something people often feel they have to go through in silence.
As someone who has been through the NICU journey and has also experienced the loss of a twin, I know too well how this pain can sit silently in the corners of your life. It’s why I talk openly about it. It’s why we need people like Zack and Samantha to share their truth—because their honesty opens the door for others to be heard too.
Leo’s Legacy – “13 Days Fighting”
To honour Leo’s life and the incredible care he received, Zack has launched an incredible fundraiser called “13 Days Fighting”.
Here’s how Zack describes it in his own words:
“Our baby boy Leo was born prematurely and spent 13 precious days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Leicester Royal Infirmary before the fight became too much for him. In response to the profound care Leo received and the emotional journey our family endured, we are committed to transforming that experience into meaningful, lasting support for other families facing similar challenges.
To demonstrate our initial income and fundraising potential, I am launching the ‘13 Days Fighting’ Burpee Challenge, taking place from 18th to 30th August. This challenge honours Leo’s strength during his 13-day fight and involves me completing a mile of burpees each day for 13 days, at 13 different locations across the UK.”
It’s bold. It’s brave. It’s exactly the kind of visibility we need to open conversations around neonatal loss and the emotional impact it has on the whole family.
You can support Zack, Samantha and Ivy here:
👉 13 Days Fighting GoFundMe Page
The Power of Support – Charities Making a Difference
When families go through the unthinkable, support is absolutely vital. I want to highlight three UK charities that offer invaluable resources for families like the Georges—and for people like you and me.
🦋 Sands – Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity
Sands supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. Whether it happened recently or decades ago, they offer bereavement support groups, a helpline, and resources to guide families through grief. They also work nationally to improve maternity safety and bereavement care.
🧠 Tommy’s – Pregnancy and Baby Loss Research
Tommy’s is dedicated to saving babies’ lives through research into miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and pregnancy complications. They offer evidence-based guidance to help parents feel empowered, informed, and supported at every stage of their journey.
💙 Bliss – For Babies Born Premature or Sick
Bliss provides emotional and practical support to parents whose babies are born premature or unwell. They work alongside NICUs to ensure better outcomes for babies and campaign for better neonatal services across the UK.
Why This Matters
Whether you’ve been in the NICU, or know someone who has, or you’re just moved by stories like Leo’s—you have a role to play. Sharing posts like this, donating where you can, or even just listening without judgement to someone who is grieving… it all matters.
Zack’s story, like many others, reminds us that babies are not “too small to matter.” Thirteen days is not too short a life to make a difference. Leo’s strength is now fuelling change—and that’s a legacy worth supporting.
💬 Your Voice Matters Too
Have you experienced loss, or supported a loved one through it? Please feel free to share your story in the comments. And if this post resonated with you, it would mean the world if you’d share it with others.
👇 Like, subscribe, and follow for more stories, resources and support around premature birth, baby loss, and parenting through trauma.
References
Sands Charity. www.sands.org.uk Tommy’s Research and Support. www.tommys.org Bliss Premature Baby Charity. www.bliss.org.uk Zack George’s Fundraiser in Memory of Leo. GoFundMe – 13 Days Fighting
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