The family of a 10-year-old from Gateshead are fundraising for a new parrot, as he battles the aftermath of both grief and serious injury. Carlton Wears has had to deal with "more heartbreak and trauma than any child should", and his loved ones want to "bring the smile back to his face".
Loss and injury
The schoolboy tragically lost his dad Karl in June, aged 39, after struggles with his mental health, turning the lives of Carlton and the rest of the family "upside down". His big sister Demi previously explained how this has "really affected Carlton", adding that he keeps saying he never got to say goodbye.
Then, just weeks later, Carlton, while in the midst of his grief, was seriously injured in an incident involving a scooter at Oliver Henderson Park in Gateshead, causing him to need to have his right index finger amputated. As well as the physical recovery, this "horrific incident" has taken another mental toll on the boy.
Fundraising and a lost companion
Despite all of this hardship, Carlton, who lives in the Leam Lane estate, raised over £5,000 for MIND by running the Junior Great North Run in memory of his late dad. His determination to put his own struggles aside to help other people has been "inspiring" to his family, who want to do something special for him in return.
It was between the death of his dad and the accident that Carlton also lost his beloved parrot Kiwi, another heartbreaking moment for a boy already going through so much. She was a "huge source of comfort and companionship" for Carlton, and 24-year-old Demi knows just how much a new bird would mean to him.
Family's appeal
She said: "After everything Carlton has been through these past few months, getting a new parrot would mean the absolute world to him. At just 10 years old, he’s had to deal with more heartbreak and trauma than any child should, from losing his dad to then losing his finger in a malicious incident."
"His beloved parrot Kiwi was so much more than just a pet to him, he absolutely adored her, and losing her was another heartbreak for him to deal with. She brought him so much happiness and was such a special part of his life."
"Despite everything he’s been through, Carlton has shown unbelievable strength and bravery, and we’re all so incredibly proud of him. Nothing could ever replace Kiwi, but having another little feathered friend to love, care for and build that special bond with again would bring some much-needed happiness back into his life."
"After everything life has thrown at him, he deserves the world, and as his big sister, there’s nothing I’d love more than to see that little smile back on his face."
The GoFundMe page which is raising money for Carlton's new parrot currently sits at a total of £125 at the time of writing, from a target of £2,000. If you have read this story and would like to donate to the family, so that he can get another pet to care for, you can do so by visiting the fundraising page here.
