A short film documenting the story of two Petals supporters has been released.

Dr Luke Hames-Brown and his wife, Kate, had just discovered that Kate was pregnant with their first baby, when Luke was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). MND is an incurable, life-limiting neurological condition that leads to the degeneration of muscles, and impacts movement and speech. It has a life expectancy of 2-5 years after the onset of symptoms.  

Their son, Rowan, was stillborn at 31 weeks.  

The couple, who both attended counselling sessions following the loss of Rowan, decided to walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall – 84 miles – to raise money for MND charities and Petals in summer 2024. By this time, the retired GP and outdoors enthusiast, Luke, was experiencing more symptoms of the progressive condition. They raised well over £40,000.  

During the walk, a friend captured a film to share their story and the perspectives of their loved ones, as well as the epic trek.

On 5 December, the moving 23 minute film,  “Dr. Luke: MND, Hadrian’s Wall, and a GP’s Journey to Define His Own Narrative” premiered at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Petals were invited to attend, alongside My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity that funds research into MND.  

Kate and Luke wanted the premiere to act as a fundraiser for the two charities, splitting all donations raised on the night and afterwards, via a dedicated website, between the two charities.  

During the evening, Luke gave a speech in which he spoke about the difference the couple’s counselling with Petals made. He said: 

“I’d like us to talk about baby loss more. It’s a hidden tragedy we hold so close but don’t speak about openly. The number of people I’ve met when I do speak about Rowan who open up and tell their own story is incredible. I’d like us to talk about it more and acknowledge how hard it is.” 

Answering questions from the audience, which comprised friends and family of the couple and special guests, Luke talked optimistically about his future and shared the plans he and Kate have for life – prioritising spending time with the people they love. 

“You can hold the hard times and the fun at the same time,” he said.  

Karen Burgess, Petals founder and chief executive said: 

“Through our work at Petals daily we sit alongside great courage, determination and resilience as bereaved parents take hold of their loss, and let it teach them more about themselves and enrich who they are, how they live and how they love –  with Luke and Kate, as they have faced the loss of their much-loved and so wanted baby Rowan, never has this been more so.   

Coping with all they have experienced, I believe Kate and Luke mirror what we stand for at Petals: 

Believing that loss is part of living and we can still reach for the stars, and trusting that really feeling our loss is how we show our love for what we have lost as well as our love for what we still have.

Luke, Kate family and friends – You are an inspiration to us all.”