On 23 June 2016 Alastair woke up on the third morning of a family holiday in Salou. Over breakfast he mentioned his back was sore but dismissed it and went to join his siblings playing in the swimming pool. He left the pool saying he was going for a lie down. Shortly afterwards Alastair said he couldn't move his legs. A doctor was called, then an ambulance, then an air ambulance. Alastair was air lifted to the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona. Initially it wasn't clear what had happened to Alastair but what is now the most likely explanation is Alastair suffered a spinal stroke. Alastair remained in ICU for a week, then was transferred to a paediatric neurology ward. As the days passed and more tests were conducted it became more apparent to Alastair's family, the extent of his injuries. The stroke caused Alastair a severe spinal cord injury. He is paralysed from just below his chest. The degree with which he will recover is unclear and the extent to which he will undergo rehabilitation is also unclear. What is clear is Alastair, his siblings, his parents, and his wider family, have a long journey ahead of them. Alastair has shown great courage and resolve in the past weeks. He is receiving rehabilitation at The Guttman Institute, a rehabilitation centre just outside Barcelona where he is likely to remain for some time. His rehabilitation back in the UK will most likely be at Stoke Mandeville as no paediatric rehabilitation facilities are available in Northern Ireland. We are looking to raise funds to support Alastair through is rehabilitation, to ensure that in the long term Alastair will be able to continue to be the active, inquisitive teenager he has grown into. Ultimately we are looking to establish a charity to support Alastair, and other children who have suffered spinal strokes, and to raise awareness. Thank you for your support and we will keep everyone informed of Alastair's progress in the coming months and years.