Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.

Louis Smith, 22, from Salisbury was a guest of the charity, which is committed to improving the lives of people affected by liver disease, including providing vital support. As part of a select group of liver patients, Louis joined the colourful three-mile procession alongside the charity’s Love Your Liver mobile screening and scanning unit.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is one of the world’s oldest annual ceremonial events, dating back to the early 13th century and marks the journey to officially pledge allegiance to the monarch. This year’s show welcomed the 696th Lord Mayor of London Alderman Alastair King, who is also the chairman of the British Liver Trust.

Louis was born with a rare condition called Biliary Atresia, where the bile ducts in the liver are not properly formed, and was operated on when he was just 12 days old. Louis led a normal life until the age of 21, when doctors told him he would need a transplant and is currently on the waiting list for a new liver. He enjoys sport and plays in the London Transplant Football Team and ran the London Marathon for the British Liver Trust, raising more than £2,000.

Louis said: “It really was an honour to be a part of such a historic and traditional ceremony. The team of us who were representing the British Liver Trust felt such a great sense of pride and excitement in showcasing our cause.

“The spectators were incredible! To be seen nationally on the BBC was a great privilege for us all and gaining that level of exposure was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the Trust. Because we were such a diverse group, I felt the spectators really understood that liver disease affects both young and old from all walks of life.”

The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver unit was one of more than 50 decorated floats at the show, alongside marching bands, vibrant music and entertainers. The unit travels the country hosting roadshows where people can receive a free liver scan without a doctor’s referral, assess their risk of developing liver disease and receive guidance on how to improve liver health. In 2023, more than 2,000 people received a liver scan at a roadshow.

Louis said: “When I was born in 2001 the internet was in its infancy and back then my parents would have appreciated having the online resources that the British Liver Trust provides today to find out more about my condition and read the stories of families in a similar situation. That’s exactly why I choose to support the British Liver Trust.”

Pamela Healy, OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “It was an honour for the British Liver Trust to be part of the Lord Mayor’s Show, and we were delighted that Louis was able to join us at this historic event. One in three people are at risk of liver disease, with the numbers being diagnosed increasing at an alarming rate, so we’re very grateful to Louis for working so hard to raise awareness of liver disease and being such an enthusiastic fundraiser which allows us to continue our vital campaigning work.”

Find out more about Lewis here - Read Louis’ story