Hi, my name is Faith. I am raising money for my little brother Charlie, who has been through more than any 16 year old should ever have to face.

Around 3 years ago, Charlie was diagnosed with scoliosis caused by a chiari malformation, which was caused by noonans syndrome (which he only got a diagnosis of last year). Since then he has been in and out of hospital for countless follow ups and check ups, however 4 months ago his health took a devastating turn when doctors discovered a blockage affecting his spinal cord. Since then Charlie has spent the most part of his 4 month hospital stay sat in the ICU and the neurological ward and we’ve now been told that he has to stay in the ICU for at least another 6 months. He has undergone over 10 surgeries, including multiple major brain surgeries.

Four months is an extremely long time for anyone to spend in hospital, but for Charlie it has absolutely changed his life. He has missed out on his teenage years and so many moments that he should have been able to experience. He has missed out on doing his GCSEs, his results day and his prom- moments that so many young people look forward to and memories that he should have been making with his friends. Instead he has spent this time in hospital, having surgeries and worrying about his health and what his future might look like. It is heartbreaking to see how much of his life has been put on hold.

He has also been unable to eat for the entire four months because of his current condition and has had to watch the world around him carry on as normal, while he remains in a hospital bed. He has lost so much of his independence and so many of the things that once made him happy.

Before all of this, Charlie was a happy, healthy and active young boy who loved playing cricket, watching Sunderland matches, spending time with his friends and simply enjoying his life. He used to play for Silkworth Cricket Club and it was a huge part of who he was. He misses it more than words can explain and one of the things that worries him most is that after everything his body has been through, he may never be able to play cricket again. Having to face the possibility of losing something he loves so much has been incredibly difficult for him.

The emotional impact of everything Charlie has been through is something that is really difficult to put into words, especially since doctors don't know what to do from here and don't think there is anything more they can do for him. There are days when the reality of how long he has been in hospital really gets to him. He has had over 10 operations, spent months away from home and his dog Neymar and has been through things that no young person should ever have to experience. We just want him to have some hope, some happiness and something to look forward to when he eventually gets home. I just want my happy, funny and carefree little brother back.

Throughout all of this, my mam and dad have been by his side every single day. Since the day Charlie was admitted, they have been taking it in turns around work and their days off to make sure that one of them can be with him and also stay there overnight. They have had to take time away from work and put their own lives on hold because above everything else, being there for their son has been their main priority.

There have been countless long days and nights spent at the hospital, waiting for updates from doctors and watching Charlie go through surgery after surgery. They have had to stay strong for Charlie even on the days when they are scared, exhausted and don't know what the next day is going to bring. They have put so much of their lives on hold over the last 4 months simply because they want to make sure Charlie is never going through this alone. They are truly the best parents anyone could ever ask for.

As his older sister, I want to do whatever I can to help get a smile on Charlies face but also I want to do whatever I can to help my mam and dad too. They have spent months putting everything else aside to be there for him, including taking time off work and constantly travelling to and from the hospital. I know they would do it all again in a heartbeat for their son, but I also know how much this has taken out of them.

That is why I have decided to start this fundraiser. I'm hoping that, with peoples support, I can take a little bit of the financial pressure off my mam and dad after everything they have had to sacrifice to be there for Charlie. I also really want to be able to do something special for Charlie once he is finally out of hospital.

We don't know exactly what the future will look like for him yet, or how long his recovery will be, but after 4 months of being in hospital, having surgeries, being in so much pain and so much uncertainty, I would love for him to have something fun and positive to look forward to. Whether that's a special day out, a football or cricket match ticket, something he has always wanted to do, a little holiday or simply being able to make some happy memories with the people he loves, I want to give him something that isn't about hospitals and operations.

After everything that Charlie has been through, he deserves some happiness. He deserves something to look forward to and to experience some form of normality again when he finally gets home.

We know that not everyone will be able to donate and we completely understand that. Even sharing Charlies story would mean more to us than we can put into words.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us support Charlie, take some pressure off my mam and dad and hopefully give our family the chance to make some really special memories together once Charlie is home.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading Charlies story, for supporting him and for helping our family through what has been the hardest 4 months of our lives. Every donation, message and share means more to us than you will ever know.