Reality television personality Chloe Lewis, best known for her role on The Only Way Is Essex, has initiated a formal petition to the government, urging a change in legislation to enhance ice skating safety for children. This action follows a traumatic incident where her six-year-old son, Beau, suffered a severe injury that resulted in the loss of his finger.
Horrific Accident Sparks Safety Campaign
Chloe Lewis, aged 35, disclosed last week that her son Beau experienced a devastating ice skating accident during the New Year period. The incident occurred when Beau fell on the ice, and another skater inadvertently ran over his finger with sharp blades, leading to its amputation. He was immediately rushed to The Royal London Hospital for emergency surgery, where medical professionals attempted to reattach the finger. Unfortunately, after eight weeks, the reattachment was unsuccessful, and Beau may require an additional operation to remove the affected part.
Petition Gains Momentum for Legislative Change
In response to this personal tragedy, Chloe has launched a petition on the government's official platform, advocating for a new law that would make it compulsory for children to wear protective gloves while ice skating. The petition has already garnered significant public support, with over 21,300 signatures to date. It states: 'Make it compulsory for children to wear gloves ice skating. I'd like for the law to be changed so children are only permitted to ice skate if wearing protective gloves to protect their hands. The blades are so sharp.'
Chloe shared the petition on her Instagram account, accompanied by a heartfelt video of her and Beau enjoying a chocolate fondue together. In her post, she expressed gratitude to supporters and emphasized her pride in her son's resilience. She wrote: 'Turning something negative into a positive. We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported the petition & for all the beautiful messages we've had from you all. We are truly grateful, we hope that one day we can help protect others because of this. If we don't do it for our children, then what do we do it for. Proud of you my boy. Please sign if you haven't already.'
Emotional Aftermath and Advocacy Efforts
In a detailed Instagram post, Chloe described the emotional toll of the accident, revealing that it left her feeling 'broken'. She recounted the distressing moments, including receiving the emergency phone call, driving to the hospital in a state of shock, and witnessing her son undergo surgery. Chloe highlighted the importance of raising awareness to prevent similar incidents, stating: 'I didn't know whether to share this with the world or not, as he's my baby & as a parent you're always protective over your child. I'm sharing to help others and raise awareness.'
She further explained: 'After 3.5 hours in surgery, I was called down so I could be there when he woke up. The plastic surgeon told me everything went well. We then went back up to the ward, where I watched him sleep. This video was taken from the window on New Year's Eve. It's made me reflect on how precious life is, and how everything can change in a matter of seconds.'
Personal Background and Future Goals
Chloe Lewis shares Beau with her ex-partner, Danny Flasher, from whom she separated in 2023 after seven years together. The couple met in 2016 and welcomed Beau three years later. In a previous Instagram Q&A, Chloe confirmed their split, describing it as a 'complicated' period but maintaining privacy about her personal life.
Moving forward, Chloe aims to leverage her platform to drive legislative change, ensuring that children are better protected during ice skating activities. Her campaign underscores a broader call for enhanced safety measures in recreational sports, with the hope of preventing future accidents and safeguarding young participants.
