In 2022, six-year-old Hubert spent eight weeks receiving intensive rehabilitation at The Children's Trust after he became suddenly ill in October 2022.

Hubert was in Year One and had just enjoyed half term. He was having a sleepover at his grandparents when he suddenly became ill overnight.

Hubert’s parents, Sarah and Barney were called and Hubert was raced by ambulance to hospital.

“We had no idea what was wrong but Hubert was clearly very unwell,” said Sarah. “We found out later that he had an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) which is like a tangle of blood vessels in the brain. He would have been born with this and although we would never have known, it was described as a ticking time bomb. It was a rupture of this AVM that led to bleeding on the brain.”

Having spent time with Hubert during his return to school and getting to know his family it became clear to me the amazing work that the people at The Children’s Trust do for the children and families who are affected by brain injuries. And so, for my 18th birthday I will be partaking in a 10,000ft skydive fundraising for the children’s trust.

Hubert arrived at The Children’s Trust to begin his journey of rehabilitation in January 2023.

Sarah said: “We were so grateful to get the placement. I was stunned it is the only brain injury rehabilitation centre of its kind in the country. When we arrived, we hadn’t been home as a family at all since Hubert became unwell. It was overwhelming to arrive somewhere that felt a little bit more like home than a hospital environment.

Follow this link to read more about Hubert’s story: https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/brain-injury-information/real-stories/avm-hubert#:~:text=Six%2Dyear%2Dold%20Hubert%20spent,suddenly%20ill%20in%20October%202022.&text=Hubert%20was%20in%20Year%20One,he%20suddenly%20became%20ill%20overnight.