Team Ari-Boo
Aria was a beam of sunshine in our lives – gentle, funny and full of curiosity. She loved music and cuddles, soft lights and bedtime lullabies. Her giggle could melt any heart, and her favourite thing in the world was being held close enough to hear ours. She adored Bluey and Ms Rachel, clapped to every song and looked at the world with wonder in her eyes.
She was cheeky, bright and fiercely loving, always reaching out to hold our hands, always ready with a smile that could light up the room. Everyone who met her felt it: Aria had a magic that words can’t quite capture.
In March 2025, she became suddenly unwell, and after weeks in hospital we were told she had PolG-related mitochondrial disease, a rare and devastating condition with no cure. A nurse in ICU once tied her curls into pigtails and said she looked just like Boo from Monsters, Inc. and from that day, she was our ‘Ari-Boo’.
Aria came home and lived happily for several months, surrounded by love. She played, smiled and showed a strength beyond her tiny years. Even as the illness progressed, she was still our same joyful, affectionate girl, brave and full of light until her final breath.
Aria passed away in our arms on the 9th August 2025, aged just 20 months.
Her love changed us forever and her light will never fade.
Ari-Boo’s family would love you to support The Lily Foundation’s work. Whether it’s a one-off gift or a regular contribution, simply follow the link below to visit their JustGiving page and join the hundreds of others who have already made a difference.
Your donation will help fund groundbreaking research into mitochondrial disease, raise vital awareness and support hundreds of patients and families affected by this little-known but incurable condition.
Since 2007, The Lily Foundation have already raised over £11 million. With your help, we can continue to fight mito and find hope for everyone affected.
