On Easter Monday, 6th April 2026, our 6-year-old son Luca was the victim of a horrific and unprovoked assault.

We were at the park in Brize Meadow, Carterton, with his two older brothers and their friends. The children were happily playing football while myself and husband stood nearby. Suddenly, a 10-year-old boy aggressively chased Luca, pushed him from behind, and his head smashed into the metal railings of the ball court. The boy then kicked Luca in the back of the head, forcing his face into the screws and metal framework.

This child had been left unsupervised all day.

Luca suffered devastating injuries and was rushed for emergency surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital. The wound was so severe it cut through muscle and nerves, right down to his skull. Our beautiful boy is now facing life-changing injuries to his face, and only time will tell whether he will regain full movement in his forehead.

As a family, we are completely shattered and traumatised by what has happened.

The police are now handling the situation, and we trust that justice will be served.

Luca will need at least six sessions of laser treatment to begin addressing the scarring, and due to the nature of the injury, healing will be complex and ongoing. We have been told the scar will not heal straight. He is incredibly lucky—this could have resulted in blindness, brain damage, or even worse. ( This treatment is not funded by the NHS) As parents we wish to give him the treatment he so deserves.

No child should ever have to endure something like this. We must do better in teaching our children kindness, empathy, and respect for others.

We are hoping to raise as much money as possible to support Luca’s ongoing treatment and give him the best chance of restoring his precious face.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Luca’s story and for any support you can give—it truly means the world to us.

Rick & Chanel