Connor is only 7 years old.

One ordinary Sunday, Connor was a healthy, active little boy. Within hours, he was fighting for his life after suffering a sudden brain bleed and stroke caused by the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in his brain.

Over the following 27 days, Connor underwent two major neurosurgical operations, including an emergency craniotomy to save his life. He then spent almost five months at Southampton Children’s Hospital. When Connor woke, he had sustained a severe acquired brain injury (ABI). He had to relearn how to swallow, eat, talk, stand and eventually take steps again.

Today, Connor lives with left-sided hemiplegia, affecting his entire left side. He relies on a wheelchair every day and a hinged ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to walk. His left arm and hand remain significantly affected, and he continues to work incredibly hard to regain as much movement, function and independence as possible.

Despite everything he has been through, Connor has exceeded expectations. He has returned to his mainstream primary school, loves football, makes everyone laugh and lives life to the fullest.

Connor doesn’t see himself as a child with a disability. He sees himself as a footballer, a big brother, a friend and a little boy who simply wants to join in with everyone else.

Why we’re fundraising:

For Connor, leaving hospital wasn’t the end of his recovery. Rehabilitation will continue to be an important part of his life as he grows and develops.

The NHS saved Connor’s life, and we will always be incredibly grateful for the care and rehabilitation he has received. However, access to ongoing intensive specialist rehabilitation is limited, and there are additional therapies and intensive programmes that we would love to give Connor the opportunity to access privately.

Connor already attends private therapy every week. We are now fundraising for specialist intensive rehabilitation, including, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), with the aim of improving movement and function in his affected side and helping him become as independent as possible.

Any remaining funds will be used for Connor’s ongoing private rehabilitation, allowing him to continue building on the incredible progress he has already made.

Our goal is simple: we never want a lack of funding to be the reason Connor cannot access an opportunity that could help him become more independent.

Every donation will be used towards Connor’s rehabilitation and recovery following his brain injury.

Thank you for taking the time to read Connor’s story. Whether you donate or simply share his fundraiser, you are helping to give Connor every opportunity to keep progressing and reach his full potential.