About

It all started when...

 

On the 15th of December 2014, the country came to a standstill as news broke that a gunman was holding ten customers and eight employees 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 with a determination to get something good out of the tragedy of the siege, she founded the Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses which provided grants for equipment, training and research.

Her ongoing association with nurses has been her ‘happy place’ since the siege. Louisa is a passionate advocate for nurses in the community and seeks to bring acknowledgement of their professionalism and compassionate hearts. 

PHOTO: Louisa Hope (Dan Cantero Photography)

PHOTO: Louisa Hope (Dan Cantero Photography)

 
 

The sydney siege Podcast

Louisa has collaborated with Podshape Media on the Sydney Siege Podcast to reveal her experience of being a hostage from inside the Lindt Café on 15 and 16 December 2014. The podcast unravels many of the issues highlighted by the Inquest into the deaths arising from the Sydney Siege and the findings and recommendation of NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes.

 

more About Louisa Hope

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. 

“The Fund to date has raised just over $100,000, in part with a generous donation from former Premier Mike Baird. Several positive initiatives are currently being rolled out across the hospital, and patients will be the ultimate beneficiaries to the nurses hard work.”