It was ‘Phins up’ for Mateo when Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital charity partners Ausbuild and the Dolphins made dreams come true for this passionate 11-year-old footy fan.
Earlier this year, Mateo suffered a cracked skull and subdural haematoma after falling from his bike. Rushed to Redcliffe Hospital, doctors performed a CT scan and discovered that Mateo also had a preexisting condition - Chiari malformation, which forces the brain through an opening at the base of the skull and into the spinal canal.
Thanks to the swift actions of the Redcliffe Hospital team, Mateo is now on the road to recovery. And while he can no longer play rugby league, the sport he loves most, Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital was delighted to send a little NRL magic his way.
“We are proud to support Raise it for Redcliffe alongside the Dolphins. This initiative gives us the opportunity to share stories like Mateo’s and to say thank you to the hospital teams who make a difference every day,” said Mr Bell.
Joining the Dolphins’ Captain’s Run, Mateo was presented with a jersey signed by the full squad and even got the chance to meet his favourite player, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - the Hammer!
The excitement didn’t end there though, as Mateo took to the field on game day as part of the Dolphins’ Guard of Honour, watched by his mum and siblings, who were gifted tickets by Ausbuild through the RBWH Foundation’s Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital initiative.
Ausbuild Joint Managing Director Matthew Bell said Mateo’s story is a reminder of the incredible impact Redcliffe Hospital has on local families.
“Mateo’s strength, and the strength of his family, is nothing short of inspiring. We hope this weekend is a moment they will never forget.”
Mateo lives with his mother and four siblings in Boondall. It has been a difficult year for the family. Two of Mateo’s siblings have also required medical treatment, one for meningioma, a tumour affecting the brain and spinal cord, and the other for serious eye surgery. Mateo’s grandmother, Cheryl, is an Emergency Department nurse who splits her time between Redcliffe Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).
RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said the events show the power of community connection.
“Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is about celebrating the people and stories behind the hospital,” said Ms Garske.
“Thanks to the support of Ausbuild and the Dolphins, we can bring joy to families like Mateo’s and raise awareness for life-changing care at Redcliffe Hospital.”
