Finlay’s story

On the afternoon of August 17 2009 Finlay was happily playing at a friend's house when he fell off a toy car and bumped his head. Just hours later he was having emergency surgery at The Children's Hospital after doctors diagnosed a life-threatening bleed on his brain.

Dad Fraser explains: "Whilst playing, Finlay fell off a toy car and bumped his head. He had no cut or bruise and seemed fine, but four hours later he felt sleepy and wanted a cuddle. He then started being sick.

"We called an ambulance, which took him straight to the Accident and Emergency Department at The Children's Hospital. We initially thought it was concussion but the doctor who saw Finlay wasn't happy with the way his eyes looked and wanted him to have a CT scan straight away - it was all very quick.

"Finlay had the scan and it showed that he had a life-threatening bleed on his brain. He was taken straight into theatre for emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.

"The operation went well and after spending a couple of days on the Intensive Care Unit and then a couple of days on one of the wards, amazingly he was able to come home.

"If we weren't fortunate enough to have the Children's on our doorstep and have access to a CT scanner I truly believe we would have lost our son. I just feel so lucky and can't thank the staff enough. They were fantastic."

"Finlay is now back to his normal self and the only thing to remind him of what happened that day is a small scar on his head which he calls his ‘caterpillar'. He is enjoying school and one of his favourite hobbies, shopping with his granddad."

Has Finlay inspired you to do some shopping?