On the 15th of December 2014, the country came to a standstill as news broke that a gunman was holding ten customers and eight employee’s hostage at the Lindt Café in Martin Place, Sydney.
Louisa Hope and her mother Robin had visited the café for a cup of coffee on an ordinary Monday morning. They were trapped for 16 terrifying hours until the Police Tactical Operations Unit stormed the café. Fifty-four year old Louisa, who has multiple sclerosis, was chosen by the gunman as a human shield. Though she suffered a bullet wound to the foot, Louisa and her mother were blessed to survive the ordeal.
Louisa spent much of the next three months in Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. As an expression of gratitude for her care and determined to get something good out of the terrible situation, she founded the Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses. The Fund has been her ‘happy place’ since the siege, providing grants for equipment, education and research.
Louisa has always enjoyed playing an active role in her local community. She loves the multicultural lifestyle of her inner west suburb, settling down with a great book, and travelling when she gets the chance. Louisa's church and her great network of friends and family bring her joy each day.
These days she devotes much of her time and energy to making a difference with the Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses.
