Sydney Siege

Lindt cafe at Martin place on 15th December, 2014

Louisa Hope was one of 18 people trapped in a terrifying siege that stopped the nation in 2014. Her ordinary Monday morning coffee had turned into a 16-hour ordeal when a gunman took the café goers hostage. Louisa has multiple sclerosis and was used as a human shield. Though she sustained a bullet wound – she was blessed to survive the ordeal.

the Aftermath

News broke that the siege had come to an end when the Police Tactical Operations Unit stormed the Lindt café. Tragically, two hostages were killed. It was over, but months of inquest hearings would follow. Louisa has been at every one, determined to stand strong for the survivors.

Healing

Louisa spent most of the following three months in Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. Being determined to get something good out of the terrible situation and give back to her nurses, she began the Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses with the money she was given for her appearance on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes.