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Harvey Parry with Leslie Lewis and Jeff Campbell during a sponsored walk.

Two months ago, the parents of toddler, Harvey Parry, who lost his legs to meningitis made an impassioned appeal in The Voice newspaper, to urge the public to donate and help their son walk again.

Now, thanks to the benevolence of Voice readers they now have over £24,000 in a fund and can look forward to buying Harvey his first set of prosthetic legs.

Harvey's mum, Carol Parry, said the newspaper appeal had made all the difference as people started knocking on their doors, eager to help.

Thanks

"Since the story was featured in the paper we have had people knocking on our door and giving us cash. And we've received cash through our letterbox, so I really want to thank all Voice readers who have kindly donated. We are immensely thankful."

Voice readers have donated over £8,000 of the amount raised so far.

Carol said, "Two guys who read the story in The Voice did a sponsored walk across 10 UK bridges, wearing Harvey Parry appeal fund T-shirts and they raised £2000. Another elderly woman knocked on our door and said she had read about Harvey in The Voice. She donated a £500 cheque."

perfect

Through other donations, the total now stands at around £24,410, enough to buy Harvey's first pair of state-of-the-art prosthetic limbs from the world renowned Dorset Orthopaedic Hospital, which famously fitted a leg for Heather Mills.

But they need more donations, as a set of made-to-measure prosthetic limbs costs £16,000 and these will only last for four months as Harvey, who is nearly two, is still growing.

Carol said, "We've got enough to buy his first pair of legs, but we've been told that the best thing to do is to wait until we have enough to buy two sets in case a leg breaks or Harvey has a growth spurt. We want to try and raise £40,000 before we do anything."

The additional money will allow the family to pay not only for the new legs, but also for extra cups to adjust them as Harvey grows, and for physiotherapy to teach him to walk.

desperate

In a desperate plea for more support, Carol said, "My heart is bleeding; it is torture to see my son like this. He has no legs, and shuffles around. He gets frustrated when he sees other children walking. He just wants to walk again, but it is impossible. Imagine the pain of seeing your child wanting to lead a normal life and walk like other children, but can't. It is heartbreaking, but as long as I am alive, I will continue to strive to raise the sufficient funds so my son can lead a normal life." You can make a donation by visiting The Harvey Parry Appeal Fund at www.harveyparry-appealfund.com or you may post a cheque to Harvey Parry Appeal Fund, 75 Northern Avenue, Edmonton, London N9 9QZ. Alternatively, you may call Harvey Parry Appeal fund directly on 02084821603.

Published: 24 October 2007
Issue: 1292

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