In July 2023 our son Rio Amoroso aged 8 was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor that turned our lives upside down. After an MRI scan, we were rushed into Bristol Children’s hospital to the Wallace and Gromit ward where we spent the next 4 months where Rio received numerous surgeries and medical treatment.

During this time in hospital Rio had to learn to walk, talk and function again as the surgery to remove the Brain tumor damaged the part of his brain which you use to communicate and co-ordinate movement of your body with. With such complicated high-risk procedures there comes numerous risks of which unfortunately Rio suffered from some of these giving him setbacks on his road to recovery. Unfortunately for Rio he developed Hydrocephalus which is when an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain leading to pressure on the brain. After urgent further medial surgery Rio had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt fitted into his skull for life to manage this lifelong condition. The Shunt helps drain the fluid buildup on his brain to prevent pressure building in his brain.

As you can imagine being Rios parents and being in this whirlwind of surgeries and traumas, we needed support to understand what is this condition? Hydrocephalus and how it effects the life of our beautiful son. The hospital staff in the Wallace and Gromit ward guided us to a Charity called Harry’s hat where we could find all the answers to all our questions and a community of people who had been in our very position. They have supported us with advice / guidance of which we will be forever grateful.

As Rio now aged 10 is still in recovery on a very long journey to rehabilitate, he wanted to do a Charity fund raiser for these Charities to help those who need their services in the future..