Charlie Fielding’s childhood has been marked by challenges that few children could ever be expected to endure. Before he was even two years old, a rare spinal condition left him paralysed from the waist down. Just as his family began to see progress through years of rehabilitation, another devastating diagnosis arrived: childhood leukaemia.

Today, Charlie is 10 years old and continues to approach life with remarkable optimism, determination and a love of sport.

A Sudden Change at Just 18 Months Old

Charlie was born prematurely at 30 weeks alongside his twin sister, Poppy. After a difficult start to life, his health appeared to be improving. By the time he was around 18 months old, he was beginning to crawl and take his first steps.

Then, suddenly, everything changed.

Charlie woke one morning in distress, and his parents immediately noticed that he could no longer use his legs normally. He became floppy and was unable to bear weight. After his condition deteriorated over several days, he was transferred to Southampton General Hospital.

Doctors discovered that Charlie had an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM — a rare abnormal connection between blood vessels. In Charlie’s case, the problem affected the blood vessels around his spinal cord. A bleed caused serious and irreversible damage to the spinal cord, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.

For his parents, Jamie and Becky Fielding, the diagnosis was devastating. Their little boy had only just begun learning to walk, and suddenly the family was facing life with a wheelchair, intensive rehabilitation and an uncertain future.

Charlie underwent treatment to address the vascular problem and began an extensive rehabilitation programme. His family turned to specialist physiotherapy to help maintain his strength, mobility and independence. A fundraising campaign was launched to help pay for specialist therapy, equipment and adaptations that were not available through the UK’s National Health Service.

Another Devastating Diagnosis

Charlie’s family had hoped that rehabilitation would allow them to focus on helping him adapt to life with his spinal cord injury.

But another crisis was waiting.

In 2019, after experiencing recurring illnesses and high temperatures, Charlie underwent medical tests. Doctors discovered that he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that is particularly common in children.

He was not yet four years old.

His father, Jamie, later described the second diagnosis as another life-changing blow for the family. Charlie had already spent years dealing with paralysis, and now he faced an entirely different and demanding medical battle.

Treatment continued for several years. Charlie eventually completed his cancer treatment in 2022, giving his family an enormous reason to celebrate.

But his medical journey was far from over.

Fighting Through Treatment and Setbacks

Charlie’s cancer treatment brought further difficulties. Reports about his journey describe chemotherapy and a serious femur fracture during the COVID-19 lockdown, which created another obstacle to his rehabilitation.

Yet his family continued to support him through every setback.

By the time Charlie reached his later childhood years, he had already experienced paralysis, cancer treatment and significant rehabilitation challenges. He also developed scoliosis, adding another complication to his physical health.

Despite everything, Charlie continued to enjoy the things that make childhood special — especially sport.

His family says he loves football and enjoys trying different trick shots. Instead of allowing his wheelchair and medical history to define him, Charlie has continued looking for ways to have fun, challenge himself and encourage others.

Turning His Passion Into Inspiration

In 2026, Charlie’s love of football became part of a fundraising campaign called #TopBinsSmallWins.

The idea was inspired by his enjoyment of trick shots and throwing balls toward targets. Charlie wanted to encourage football clubs and fans to take part in the challenge while helping raise awareness and funds for specialist rehabilitation.

Worthing FC supported the campaign, describing Charlie as a 10-year-old who has received life-changing rehabilitation through Neurokinex since he was a baby. The club highlighted his determination to help others despite having battled both leukaemia and scoliosis.

The campaign reflects something that has become increasingly clear throughout Charlie’s story: he does not want to be defined by the medical challenges he has faced.

He wants to play. He wants to have fun. He wants to compete. And he wants to inspire other people living with paralysis.

A Future Filled With Possibilities

Charlie continues to attend specialist physiotherapy and remains focused on improving his physical abilities. His family is still working to secure access to specialist equipment and rehabilitation that can support him as he grows.

His father has also continued fundraising for his son’s care, explaining that specialist private physiotherapy is not currently available through the NHS and that ongoing support is important for maintaining Charlie’s physical condition and independence.

Now, years after his first devastating diagnosis, Charlie’s story is no longer simply about what happened to him.

It is about what he has chosen to do despite it.

He lost the ability to walk as a toddler. Before reaching his fourth birthday, he was diagnosed with a serious childhood cancer. He endured years of treatment, rehabilitation and additional physical challenges.

And yet, he continues to smile.

His determination has inspired his family, medical professionals, supporters and sporting communities around him. Through his love of football and his #TopBinsSmallWins campaign, Charlie is showing that courage does not always mean overcoming every obstacle. Sometimes, it means continuing to move forward, finding joy in everyday moments and refusing to let difficult circumstances take away your dreams.

Charlie Fielding’s journey is a powerful reminder that childhood can contain extraordinary challenges — but also extraordinary strength.

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