Fundraising for Melksham toddler reaches halfway point

A FAMILY from Melksham is halfway to reaching a target of £60,000 needed to send their little boy to the USA for a potentially life-changing operation.

Three year-old Harry Kirkman from Melksham has cerebral palsy which affects all of his limbs, making it very hard to balance.

His family and friends are trying to raise £60,000 to send him to a paediatric neurosurgeon in America who will perform a special operation which will help him walk on his own.

So far they have raised £33,376 from fundraising and donations.

Harry’s mum Charlotte Deegan said, “We are massively shocked to be over half-way only four months in.  It’s great because now we can start looking at the things we need to organise.

“I’m in the process of sorting passports, finding out how we pay this large sum to the hospital and getting quotes for accommodation, so there’s lots to do.

“The highlight for me last year was that this is a whole new experience for us and just seeing how amazing a complete stranger can be has really warmed my heart.

“We have made some incredible friends along  the way and with the  help of friends and family it has shown us that anything is possible.

“We feel hugely supported by the Melksham  community and beyond. For example I got an email from a baby and toddler group in Bowerhill the other day explaining they had raised some money and half was going to us. We have never attended this group so for someone to think of us is so inspiring and makes it easier for us to keep going.

“The local Co-op also organised a fun day for us  and asked nothing from us, they were just happy to help. It’s amazing to have such great support.

“People don’t always realise that even the smallest amount can make such a difference to us and we will always be grateful for anyone’s help.

“We often have people apologise that it’s not more. We don’t want anyone to so say sorry as their help is appreciated the same if it’s great or small, it all means so much to us as a family.

“In 2016 we have various fundraising events planned. We have a parachute jump on 31st January, a medium night on 29th January at Trowbridge Conservative Club, a charity ball on the 19th March in Melksham and on the 5th May a golf day at Cumberwell Park Golf Club. Plus other things which we are working on like a bag pack at Asda and a coffee morning.

“I hope that Harry will grow up to realise how lucky he has been and that we have had such amazing support in trying to give him the best,

“Harry has got lots of hard work coming his way,  not that he doesn’t work hard already, but this year is going to see lots of things change for him. But we feel confident he is up for the challenge.”

You can follow Harry’s progress on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Helping-Harry-539067302891367/?fref=ts
and donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/helping-harry/