Sister of boy hospitalised for five months launches fundraising campaign to "get my little brother back"

The family of a 16-year-old boy struck down with a debilitating condition which has left him confined to his hospital bed have started a fundraising campaign to adapt their home and to hopefully access pioneering treatment.

Charlie Proctor, from Silksworth, had been a happy and healthy child who loved to play football and represented Silksworth Cricket Club.

His sister, Faith, 22, said: “It was when Charlie was 13 and I saw him standing on the landing and it looked as though his hip was pushed out. I asked him why he was standing like that, and he said he was standing normally.”

It transpired that Charlie had scoliosis which had caused a curvature in his spine brought on by Noonan syndrome which he wasn’t aware he had.

Charlie underwent numerous surgeries including having a metal rod inserted in his spine and having to wear a metal halo to help straighten his body.

Following his surgeries last year, Charlie had hoped to get back to school in September 2025, but after beginning to struggle to walk, his condition took a devastating turn for the worse.

Faith said: “Doctors found a blockage in Charlie’s spinal cord which was blocking the messages from his brain and resulted in him being unable to walk, talk or even swallow. They’ve tried draining the blockage, but it hasn’t worked. Due to the position in the spine, the blockage can’t be removed and the doctors are running out of ideas about what to do.

“Charlie’s already been in hospital for five months and he is expected to be at Newcastle RVI for at least another six months.”

Faith and her family have now set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise £10,000 to support both Charlie and his parents, including providing adaptations for the family home when Charlie eventually returns.

Faith said: “The emotional impact of everything Charlie has been through is something that’s 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.

“Doctors are unsure of what to do next and so we could also use any funds to potentially look at pioneering treatments which may be available.

“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.”

Pharmacy technician Faith also wants to raise awareness of Noonan syndrome.

Faith said: “We’ve since found out that both me an my dad have the syndrome, but you can go through life and not have any issues. I want to raise awareness of the syndrome so people can hopefully get an early diagnosis. If Charlie had been diagnosed earlier then he may not have ended up in the situation he is now.”

You can donate to Charlie’s cause at https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-little-brother-charlie

To spread awareness of the syndrome, Faith has also urged people to “share Charlie’s story”.