In a heart-stopping moment at a Tesco in Flintshire, a quick-thinking mum saved her baby boy, Rupert Smith, by performing CPR right in the aisle. Seven-month-old Rupert, who has a rare genetic disorder called Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), suddenly deteriorated during their shopping trip. Responders, including paramedics, police, and the Wales Air Ambulance, swiftly came to their aid. Rupert was airlifted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where he is currently stable but still experiencing seizures.
His dad, Dave Smith, a Flintshire police sergeant, expressed immense pride in his wife’s urgent actions and gratitude towards the emergency service teams and Tesco staff who assisted during the ordeal. Rupert’s family, facing the challenging realities of AHC—a condition affecting roughly one in a million children—is raising funds for his treatment and broader research. They’ve launched a JustGiving page, aiming for £1.5 million, with hopes of obtaining life-changing care in the USA.
The family remains thankful for the incredible support they’ve received and continues to push for greater awareness about AHC. Despite the unpredictability of the condition, there is hope in their hearts for Rupert’s future. If you’d like to help, their fundraising efforts are ongoing. Let’s rally together to give this brave little warrior the care he needs! 💙🙏