A BOY who suffered a massive bleed on the brain and lost the power of speech needs your help.

Krishan Benn-Shah was enjoying a half-term visit to his local swimming pool when he started to feel unwell.

The eight-year-old boy was rushed to hospital on Valentine's Day after suffering from a congenital condition called arteriovenous malformation, or AVM.

His parents, Jay and Dakota, were told to expect the worst when doctors explained he only had a five per cent chance of surviving and they now have to travel between Reading and Oxford to see him at John Radcliffe Hospital.

When Krishan is discharged from the hospital, he will not be eligible for physio or speech therapy, which means his family will need money to pay for private care and specialist equipment for their home to help him walk.

An online fundraising page, which has been set up to support his parents, reads: "The journey is not over yet. The surgery that Krishan has had was only to stop the bleed and prevent him dying.

"The AVM is still there and will need to be removed, so there is at least another surgery on the cards for this young boy along with the recovery afterwards.

"Dakota has not returned to work since the injury and she will continue as Krishan's carer once he is well enough to be discharged home.

"We would like to help the family as they cope with the loss of income and additional costs to adapt and buy necessary equipment.

"There is no real financial and therapeutic aid available for the family once they are discharged from hospital. The funds we raise will ensure that the family have access to continued therapists and advice."

The bleed on Krishan's brain left him with symptoms such as paralysis and slurred speech, almost as if he had experienced a stroke.

He will need surgery again later this year, although he is likely be in and out of hospital for another six months, with a period of recovery at home afterwards.

Click here to donate to Krishan's fundraising campaign.