Lawyer Speaks Of Pride As Young Client Named Winner Of ‘Outstanding Bravery’ Award

A boy who suffered a severe brain injury has been named winner of the 0-12 Outstanding Bravery Award at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards.

Charlie Senior, 10, from Huddersfield, was rushed to hospital when only a few months old and was diagnosed with a severe brain injury. Since then, Charlie has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, severe learning difficulties and is registered blind.

Unable to talk or walk, Charlie, who is the youngest of three siblings, has spent his young life undergoing treatment and therapies, he also requires 24 care and support from his family. However with this support from his family, and medical staff, Charlie has been surpassed expectations in his development.

Despite being told he would not be able to, Charlie has learnt to walk unaided, albeit with close supervision and, more impressively, he has gone from being unable to speak to being able to count to ten in English, German and Spanish.

Joanne Fraser, a partner at Irwin Mitchell and a specialist Court of Protection lawyer has represented Charlie for five years after being initially instructed by his mother, Joanne Senior. Irwin Mitchell manages a Trust for Charlie and the team have assisted the family in ensuring Charlie receives the right therapeutic support. 

The team have further helped organise the adaptations to the family home to make sure it is suitable for Charlie to live in and meet his ongoing needs.

Commenting on Charlie’s award win, Joanne said: 

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“I am incredibly happy for Charlie winning this award. He is an example of outstanding bravery for overcoming the kind of adversity that most families couldn’t imagine. All his progress in his therapies continues to pay off, even regaining some of his vision.

“I feel so in awe of Charlie for the incredible strength he has shown as he works tremendously hard to reach so many of the milestones that other children take for granted, such as being able to walk unaided and engage with the world around him.

“Yorkshire should be proud of this little boy for his outstanding bravery in overcoming the odds to be able to lead as full a life as he possibly can.” Joanne Fraser - Partner

Joanne Senior, Charlie’s mum, said: “I am so proud of Charlie. He has overcome so much already in his young life and the fighting spirit he has shown is second to none.

“Since first being diagnosed, he has done so much to overcome the hurdles he has been presented with. Going from being unable to communicate, to holding conversations with me, his siblings and his grandparents, is nothing short of a miracle.

“The family has always known that Charlie is a little winner and we could not be prouder of him.”

The seventh Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards were held on 13 October at New Dock Hall, Leeds, and were compered by ITV Yorkshire presenter, Christine Talbot. The 0-12 Outstanding Bravery Award was sponsored by Irwin Mitchell.