In many ways Harrison is like other children, he loves to play football and support his team – Tottenham! But his parents 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 him to do these activities. 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.
After the diagnosis, Phil and Julie searched online to find what support was out there. The couple came across Muscular Dystrophy UK, and made contact. After seeing the support the charity can offer, Phil and Julie wanted to do something positive. They decided to set up a family fund called Hope4Harrison in April 2016, to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy and to fundraise for research into Becker muscular dystrophy.
Phil says:
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 MDUK, friends, and family, raise as much money as possible to help the scientists try to find a treatment or cure
Since setting up the fund, Hope4Harrison has raised over £60,000 from a range of events include a six-hour dance-a-thon, a 24-hour static cycle covering 888 miles in total, wing walking, marathon, Tough Mudder challenges, Pedal Paddle Peak, golf tournaments and an annual charity football tournament. Harrison’s mother, Julie, also threw herself out of a plane with 10 of her friends as part of a charity skydive.
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 from this event will be split 80/20% between MDUK’s research into Becker muscular dystrophy and help support Harrison with future welfare needs
You can visit their Facebook page