This is the story of Alex Wood, an incredibly brave 9-year-old, who has shown amazing courage and resilience in his rehabilitation from major brain surgery. On 22nd September 2020, Alex’s parents got a terrifying call from his school, the type of call no parent wants to receive. Alex had collapsed suddenly at school and was being flown to a hospital in Southampton. They had absolutely nothing with them - no money just the phone in their hands they had used to answer the horrific call no parent ever thinks will happen to them.

His parents were then told the terrifying news that their super-fit, football-loving boy may not make it. Doctors informed the family that Alex had developed a bleed to the brain caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. It was deep and large and was a very specialist operation.

The diagnosis resulted in a then 8-year-old Alex having to face the traumatic ordeal of two major brain operations, one of which lasting over 10 hours! Further devastating news followed as doctors informed the family that Alex may not walk again and would likely never play his beloved football again.

The family, although distraught by the news, were not willing to accept the prognosis and told all the surgeons they would do all they could to support their son. Following the operations, Alex had daily rehab and spent three months in a hospital in Southampton with his mum and dad, miles from family and loved ones. Due to covid Alex wasn’t allowed to see anyone else not even his sister Chloe. She was home in Cornwall and he was hours away from her.

Alex was released from the hospital and allowed to return to his home in Cornwall on Christmas Eve. Incredibly a brave and resilient Alex walked out of the hospital and hasn’t been in his wheelchair since!

Since his release from hospital Alex spends 2-3 hours every day completing rehab. Which is enabling him to make progress every day!! So far this year its cost £17,000. Thankfully a justgiving set up last year helped towards these costs, family and friends have done fundraisers to help us. These cost will be ongoing for years - we need our little fighter to keep making progress with his rehab! Please help!

Any donations will help our little boy have the best chance for the future. He currently has limited left hand movement and finds two handed activities tricky and needs daily leg exercises to ensure his leg improves and gets stronger. He suffers with fatigue but is so determined to get better.

Thanks for any donations no matter how small. You really are helping towards giving our son the best chance in life.