A FAMILY from Bournemouth has created a fundraiser to help their son who has tackled multiple medical obstacles since birth.

Ellis Birchall and her partner Lewis are parents to Arlo, a two-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and significant developmental delays.

Arlo was born at premature in August 2022 and got diagnosed with sepsis at just 10 days old.

A GoFundMe was created by the family to help with the medical costs for Arlo that has reached £20,683 at the time of publication.

(Image: UGC)

Ellis said: “He was born at 25 weeks back in 2022 and had a very difficult start to life.

“At 10 days old he developed E.coli-meningitis which then caused Arlo to develop hydrocephalus in the coming days due to a drainage tube in his brain being blocked by debris.

“He would need a ventricular access device fitted quickly however he suffered a large cerebral haemorrhage which put him at great risk of bleeding out.

“We proceeded with the surgery as it was our only chance at hope and luckily everything went to plan.

“Arlo was diagnosed last November with Cerebral Palsy and we have been doing everything in our power to give him the best start to life we can.”

(Image: UGC)

Arlo and his family also travelled to North Carolina to receive DMI, an advanced therapy that isn’t offered in the UK.

Now, Ellis and Lewis are fundraising for the ongoing private physio sessions and a three week DMI intensive at the Napa centre in March/April next year.

The family also want to share their gratitude to donors.

Ellis added: “Thank you. You've changed our lives in the most positive way possible. We just couldn't have done it without the support of all of our friends and family. It's been incredible.

“It's like a whole new part of his world has been opened up to him now. He's learning to use these different muscles.

“Arlo didn't cry until about six months ago. He didn't really smile or laugh very much, but he's starting to do all those things so much more now that I know he's happy and that couldn’t have happened without all the wonderful donations for his medical care."

Donations can be made via a GoFundMe titled, Arlo’s World.