Community raises £60,000 for toddler’s life-changing op

Harry (left) packs his bag with brother Callum, mum Charlotte and dad Matt

MELKSHAM toddler Harry Kirkman will fly to America this summer for a potentially life-changing operation, as the Helping Harry fundraising campaign  hits £56,361.

Family and friends of three-year-old Harry Kirkman who has cerebral palsy, have been fiercely fundraising for several months to raise £60,000 to send Harry to a paediatric neurosurgeon in America, who will perform a special operation which will help him walk on his own.
Harry’s mum, Charlotte Deegan said, “We have a date for Harry’s operation, our visas are ready and we’ve booked the flights and hotels. There’s still a lot to do, but we are so pleased to finally be in this position.
“It doesn’t always feel real, as we have known about this since Harry was diagnosed at three months old, but we were told for a long time that Harry wouldn’t be suitable for the operation.
“As we get closer though, we have very mixed emotions; we get a little bit excited, then nervous – and sometimes stressed with getting everything together.
“The recent Glitter Ball was amazing and I can’t say thank you to Zoe Britton enough for organising that for Harry. Without the help from Paul, Alex and Bruce, it wouldn’t have been possible to make such an amazing night happen. We raised a whopping £8,020.40 from the Glitter Ball and on the night Harry’s Uncle Geoff and Auntie Claire were very brave and had their heads shaved.
“There is still some other fundraisers coming up. A couple of young ladies are running the Colour Obstacle Rush Bath for Harry in May. There is also a Golf Day on the 6th May at Cumberwell Park, and a charity football/netball tournament taking place in Trowbridge in June.
“Harry is doing well. He’s working hard at physio at home and privately, to get himself in the best shape possible for his operation. We are currently working on core muscles as they are really important post-op for him.
“Thank you to everyone who has made this dream come true for our little boy.”
You can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/Helping-Harry