Romeo, from Primrose Hill, has a a rare and complex heart condition and spent years in the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital undergoing life-saving procedures including open-heart surgery, a bypass and the fitting of a pacemaker.
With a fun-loving nature and deep affection for animals, his teddies and his favourite football teams, Celtic and Liverpool, Romeo’s mother, Donna Brady, describes him as a child with a remarkable spirit.
Donna said: “I get emotional because he’s such a wonderful little boy. He’s highly intelligent, good witted and he’s such a good laugh. He’ll tell you anything about history, anything about animals.”
This I can confirm as he cheerfully recited the names of Henry VIII’s wives, the dates of major historical events and his favourite dinosaurs to me.
Romeo completed Reception at school, but as his condition made classroom life too dangerous, he is now homeschooled by Donna, who dedicates her time to supporting him as they learn, play, and bake together.
But six months ago, during an appointment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, doctors delivered the devastating news that further surgery is no longer possible and they urged Donna to make the next 12 months “extra special”.
One of Romeo’s biggest wishes is to see dolphins swimming in the ocean.
His love of animals runs deep – the pair have adopted a rhino and an elephant, and at home they share their lives with Butterfly, the family’s dachshund, and their 16-week-old dachshund puppy 2.0.
This weekend, their local pub, The Cock Tavern in Phoenix Road, is stepping in to help make Romeo’s dreams a reality. It will hold a fundraiser on Saturday, November 22 to help provide a year of special experiences for Romeo and everyone is warmly invited to come along and enjoy the fun.
Landlady Sheila Gavigan has organised a Celtic music band for the event, while mum Donna has secured a signed Celtic shirt to be auctioned off and friends and neighbours have also donated hampers and prizes.
She added that the Murphy Group had been particularly generous donating prizes and buying raffle tickets.
All those who have helped out have been affectionately nicknamed “Romeo’s supporters”.
Donna said the outpouring of kindness has been overwhelming: “The whole community has come together and everyone’s just doing their little bits to help out. So it just shows so much love for Romeo.”
She added: “Things are so hard and so upsetting, but you’ve just got to be positive. There are so many times where I’ve nearly lost him and I could have lost him.
“He’s got so much will to live and when people tell Romeo he can’t do something, Romeo shocks us all and does better.”
A JustGiving page has been set up to help the family create cherished memories in the time they have left together. So far, more than £2,000 has been raised.
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/r2n33w-make-every-moment-count to make a donation.
