Alfie Tyson-Brown and family

WHEN Wimborne boy Alfie Tyson-Brown started losing the feeling in his arms and legs his worried dad took him to the doctor.

Astonished medics discovered that the 13 year-old's head had literally become detached from his spine.

Further tests revealed that the life-threatening injury that had snapped a bone at top of his vertebrae had probably occurred when he was a toddler.

Alfie, apparently a normal active boy who loved riding his bike and surfing, had been a walking time-bomb. At any moment he could have suffered an injury that would have either killed or paralysed him for life.

He was rushed to Southampton General Hospital for emergency treatment that pinned his broken neck back into position.

That was a year ago and as Alfie, who is now 14, continues to recover a black tie opera night is being planned to raise money for the hospital unit that treated him.

The concert at the Jazz Café, Sandbanks, on June 12 which will feature soprano Melinda Hughes, is in aid of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton. It's being organised by Alfie's dad, Wimborne town crier Chris Brown who says: "I don't think a lot of people know about the incredible work these people do. We just want to say thank you for what they did for Alfie and to help raise money and awareness of the unit."

Medical professionals weren't the only people who took an active interest in Alfie's recovery. While lying immobilised on a spinal board he also received get well messages and even a special song from the band The Flaming Lips. They heard about his plight from their tour manager, Alfie's uncle, Mick Brown, and along with the goodwill messages came a song called Alfie Get's a Cool Drilled-in Skull Headband penned by their flamboyant lead singer Wayne Coyne.

LIP SERVICE: Wayne Coyne

"It meant a great deal to him to get something that was so personal," said Chris.

Other well-wishes came from the band the Polyphonic Spree in the form of a huge bouquet.

For tickets to the Jazz Café call 01202 708346.

11:42am Thursday 24th April 2008

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