Egremont boy left blind by brain tumour surgery to go on dream holiday

Charlie Reid, of Egremont underwent two life-saving surgeries at the RVI in Newcastle last year to remove a four-inch tumour that was discovered in the back of his head.

The West Lakes Academy pupil was left completely blind following the second surgery but has adjusted well.

Charlie Reid and his dad, Howard Kirkbride, on a recent family holiday to Crete (Image: Family handout)

Charlie receives regular brain scans to monitor any growth in a tiny amount of tumour that was left behind following surgery.

During the most recent scan in May, it was discovered that the tumour had grown from 11mm to 19mm and Charlie will now undergo further surgery this week.

Charlie’s doctors at the RVI put him forward for Dreamflight – a charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on their holiday of a lifetime to Orlando – and he has been selected.

Charlie Reid has been selected to go on a holiday of a lifetime to Florida with charity, Dreamflight, after being put forward by his surgeons (Image: Family handout)

He will travel to the Sunshine State on October 26 for 10 nights, with 190 other children, who have their own doctors, nurses and carers.

Charlie will stay on-site at Walt Disney World and will visit theme parks at the resort and at Universal Studios. He will also get to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove.

Charlie’s dad, Howard Kirkbride, said: “The good news is they are doing the surgery early because he’s been selected to go to Orlando.

Charlie will undergo a further operation to remove small parts of the tumour which were left after his last surgeries before flying to Florida (Image: Family handout)

“He says he can’t wait. We got some bad news that it [the tumour] is growing again and Charlie’s like, let’s just get it done. Then he’s got 12 weeks to recover until he gets a flight from Newcastle to Heathrow.”

Doctors had hoped that Charlie’s sight could return after the surgeries but a recent eye examination has shown the nerves between his eyes and brain are too damaged.

Howard said: “He just gets on with it. He’s great. He goes to school four days a week.

“We go to Whinlatter or Keswick climbing. At the weekends, I’ll ring his mates and we’ll go somewhere.

Charlie Reid is doing well after his brain tumour surgeries and recently went on holiday with family to Crete (Image: Family handout)

“It’s just sports, he’s a bit downbeat because he played cricket and football. There are things he can’t do with his friends, like going to the river or out on his bike.

“But he’s doing great. He runs on the treadmill and he’s done a half marathon. He’s been on holiday to Crete.

“He just wants his op done and dusted. He can’t wait to go to Florida.”