A DUNFERMLINE lad has fought through life-threatening challenges to raise money for the hospital that cared for him. 

Seven-year-old Charlie Walker was just a day old when he went through his first major operation, but now he has come out on top by completing six assault courses for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh.

Proud mum Leanne told the Press: “There was a lot of uncertainly while I was pregnant; at seven months, I was told his chances of having any sort of a normal childhood were slim. 

“There was an abnormality in his growth and a mass on his stomach – at that point, I was given the option of terminating the pregnancy. 

“As soon as he was born, he was whisked away from me to Edinburgh. 
“I was left on a ward full of new mums and their babies – I can’t express how difficult it was, hearing them cry when I couldn’t even hold my son.”

During the first seven months of his life, Charlie  underwent surgeries that stopped a blockage in his stomach.

It was discovered that a muscle had formed around his stomach – the only other known case of this in a child so young was in America.

More difficulties emerged after the surgery; at just five days old, Charlie got blood poisoning, after his bowels were punctured. 

Leanne continued: “He was screaming in pain and we were warned by doctors that the next 48 hours would be critical. 

“We have few photos of him as a baby because he was constantly attached to a machine and even to this day it still affects me, seeing friends have a picture-perfect birth, but I would go through it all again for him!”

The Carnegie Primary School pupil started completing his six physical challenges in June and has so far raised £1,290, running an impressive 19 kilometres. 

Leanne said: “Charlie has started taking an interest in what happened to him as a baby.

“Because he has a large scar across his stomach, he notices he’s different to others. 

“I told him I did a skydive for the sick kids hospital and that’s when he said he wanted to help others, too, and the assault course bug started

“I told him he’s done such a fantastic job, but he’s not satisfied and wants to do more.

“We cannot tell you how much the Edinburgh hospital helped us during that difficult time, so I’m filled with pride that Charlie can help others after all he has overcome – he’s my hero.”