We Love Merthyr Announces Lifeline 4 Louis as Charity of the Year 2026
We Love Merthyr has announced Lifeline 4 Louis as its Charity of the Year for 2026, marking the launch of a new annual initiative designed to support one local charity from January through to December.
Rather than providing direct financial sponsorship, the Charity of the Year programme will use We Love Merthyr’s extensive reach, events and digital platforms to raise awareness, encourage fundraising and bring the community together. Across the year, the charity will benefit from promotion through We Love Merthyr’s digital channels, which achieve millions of impressions annually, alongside bucket collections at our events and a series of community fundraising activities.
Lifeline 4 Louis is a community campaign supporting Louis, a young child born with a complex heart condition who has already spent much of his life in hospital. After undergoing major heart surgery in 2021, Louis had enjoyed a period of relative stability before recently becoming critically ill with H1N1 avian flu and requiring intensive care treatment. Although further heart surgery is possible, treatment has been refused due to his disability, and the campaign is now raising funds to support Louis’s fight for life, including potential surgery in the UK or abroad, specialist care and vital equipment.
Lifeline 4 Louis was selected by the public as the winner of the 2025 Christmas Lights Switch-On competition, and We Love Merthyr is proud to continue that support throughout the year ahead. As part of the partnership, the charity will also be welcomed as special guests at the Christmas Lights Switch-On event later in the year.
Over the coming months, We Love Merthyr will be inviting businesses, families and individuals to get involved through a range of low-cost, inclusive fundraising ideas, including sponsored challenges, community events and simple in-store donations. Further details and opportunities to take part will be shared soon.
The Charity of the Year initiative reflects We Love Merthyr’s commitment to community, connection and local causes – proving that when Merthyr comes together, it can make a real difference.
You can find out more about Louis by visiting his Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571391155607 or donate to his JustGiving page here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/lifeline4louis
