In many ways Harrison is like other children, he loves to play football and support his team – Tottenham! But his parents, Phil and Julie, had noticed that Harrison was having trouble walking upstairs, and was unable to run or jump properly- especially in contrast to his twin brother, Connor, and older sister, Summer. In November 2015, Phil and Julie were given life-changing news. Their little boy was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy. Harrison was just four years old.
Hope4Harrison
Over the years it has slowly got progressively harder for Harrison to do the things he loves. But he always tries his best to lead a normal life and join in where he can and rarely complains or gets upset by his limitations.
When Harrison was diagnosed, we searched online to find what support was out there. After seeing the support Muscular Dystrophy UK could offer, we wanted to do something positive. We decided to set up a family fund called Hope4Harrison in 2016, to raise awareness and fundraise for research into Becker muscular dystrophy.
As a parent of a child with a life-limiting condition it is heart-breaking to watch him struggle and not being able to tell him everything will be ok, when there is no certainty it will. All we can do is keep smiling. And with the help of Muscular Dystrophy UK, friends, and family, raise as much money as possible to help researchers try to find a treatment or cure.
Since setting up the fund, Hope4Harrison has raised nearly £70,000 from a range of events include a six-hour dance-a-thon, a 24-hour static cycle covering 888 miles in total, wing walking, skydives, marathon, Tough Mudder challenges, Pedal Paddle Peak, golf tournaments and an annual charity football tournament.
With the ongoing help of their wonderful support system the family hope to one day reach their goal of finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.
Net proceeds of fundraising will be split 80% into research for Becker muscular dystrophy and 20% for Harrison’s welfare needs.
You can follow their journey on Facebook here.
