My name is Katherine Armour, and along with a group of friends we are organising this fundraiser on behalf of a young man named Adam Quarmby.

In March 2022 Adam suffered a massive brain AVM rupture which left him with devastating disabilities. Adam has difficulty speaking, is unable to walk and needs 24 hour care. Adam has been in hospital/rehabilitation for 3 years now and his family desperately want him home.

At 17 Adam had his whole life ahead of him. He had a great future, he was learning to drive and was working at Hewitson Plant Hire with hopes of becoming an electrician. He lived at home with his parents, his younger sister and the family dog. He was a funny, loveable, cheeky chappy who would do anything for anyone. He was also a scout and attended 1st Peterlee Scouts on a regular basis and was a massive Sunderland AFC supporter, travelling to home and away matches with his dad – these were two very important things in his life.

Out of the blue Adam collapsed at college. He was rushed to hospital and his parents were told he had an AVM which had ruptured causing a bleed on the brain and he wasn’t expected to live. Despite the diagnosis and after major complications of sepsis, hydrocephalus and DVT’s, Adam is still with us 3 years later. Adam’s condition left him unable to walk and talk and needing 24 hour care. He is currently in a rehabilitation unit for brain injury victims in Middlesbrough where he receives hydrotherapy and speech therapy and over the last 4 months Adam has made excellent progress, he communicates with the aid of a machine but recently has been able to say a few words and sentences. In the last 8 months Adam has been able to leave the rehabilitation centre for a maximum of 4 hours but he desperately wants to be at home with his family where he can continue with his recovery supported by his loved ones. After everything Adam has been through, he hasn’t lost his sense of humour or his zest for life and amazes us all with his resilience and determination to rebuild his life.

Although Adam’s parents are grateful for the one-off grant available to convert their existing property, their home simply cannot accommodate the space needed for Adam to have the independence he needs and provide accommodation for his live in carer. Adam’s parents have purchased a plot of land and have recently acquired planning permission for a purpose-built bungalow that will meet the needs of Adam and his family. However, even with the sale of their current home this would leave a significant shortfall. Recent setbacks have brought further challenges, and it has become increasingly difficult to get this project started.

We hope to raise this money to help bridge the gap in funding that will get Adam home to his family as quickly as possible.

Please help in any way you can, no matter how small, this will make a massive difference to Adam’s life, well-being and ongoing recovery.

Forever grateful