fundraising Events
My Therapy Room
In 2021 we had a therapy room built in our back garden to help facilitate Harri’s physio sessions. We were able to do this thanks to the generous support of Harri’s Gransha “G” and his friends who were all members of the Rhondda valley pigeon friends.
G retired from pigeon racing and sold all his pigeons, equipment and his prized pigeon clock.
If that wasn’t enough a wonderful friend of his, Gareth Watkins, arranged a pigeon auction with the readers of British Homing world. In total they raised an enormous £8,000 🤩
We also want to say a huge thank you to Nannie and Aunty Lisa
Who worked really hard to communicate, organise and arrange this amazing fundraising event ❤️
Chris Walker Construction
Who built our therapy room as well as supported us with many other adaptations to our house in order to keep Harri safe. Chris and his team are fantastic throughout the whole design and construction process. Chris is always on the end of a telephone if needed, is really responsive when things don't go to plan and patient when things change. Once the work is completed Chris is there immediately without fail if any problems arise. A great team and we wouldn't go anywhere else to have any building work done.
Fancy Decorating Ltd
Who painted our therapy room and many other rooms in our house. Toby and his team are really helpful, knowledgeable and reliable. They will help and provide guidance if you need it and their workmanship is fantastic. We have been really happy with all the work they have done and would definitely recommend them.
Tech Moon
Who painted the most amazing Hulk mural for Harri. What a talented guy... Harri's face was a complete picture when he met the Hulk in his Therapy Room.
Adam Plant
Who fitted the flooring in the Therapy Room. Adam is incredibly helpful. An Example of this is that we bought carpet to be fitted in one room but due to a change in circumstance Adam had to arrange for the carpet to be stored for almost a year, at no extra cost, until we were able to have it fitted. There was no problem, he understood our issue and reacted in a positive way to find a solution. He always does a great job and we have had no issues with any work that he has done.
Phil The Sparky
Who's done so much Sparky work for us around the house. He's a superstar!
Jack
Jack is a great all round handyman who seems to be able to turn his hand to anything. He will give ideas and suggestions on the best way to achieve fantastic results and has a great eye for detail. He has really helped us to get our home more organised which has not only helped to keep my stress levels down but more importantly ensures that every space is as safe as possible for Harri.
Individuality swimming
Especially Tom and Andrew.
Harri has had weekly private swimming lessons with Individuality Swimming since he was 3-years old. He has had the best instructors in Tom and Andrew, who have always used their imagination and creativity to challenge and push him, often coming up with the most ingenious games and toys to engage, encourage and support him to work hard and progress.
Southern Childrens Physiotherapy
Charlotte has been working with Harri since he was 6 months old. She is amazingly patient, kind and creative in the way she engages with Harri.
It can sometimes be a challenge getting him to cooperate, he’s a tricky one!! But somehow we always persevere and manage to adapt until we find a way in… usually involving Mummy doing all the hard work first and making it look fun.😜
We absolutely love Charlotte❤️
Swim Lab, Lanzarote
We took Harri to Swim Lab in February 2023. It wasn’t the best start… Harri ended up in hospital and missed his first day of intensive therapy… but he soon caught up!
Paul was quite brilliant to watch and built a rapport with Harri immediately! This really helped with motivation throughout the week, which was great because it is definitely an intensive workout (2 x 1hr swim sessions and a 1hr land based physio work out per day).
Harri worked so hard and got the opportunity to use the truxo equipment… a walking robot tool is the only way I could describe it!!
To see Harri independently swimming a length of the pool on his front and back by the end of the week was just astonishing. An absolutely amazing experience and we would take him back in a heartbeat!
Fudge Physio and hippotherapy
Another great intensive therapy experience. The vauld is an amazing place to visit.
Vicky and Andrew are great hosts. Harri got to ride every day, feed chickens; play with the dogs, play tennis in the garden and have daily physio.
Vicky really challenged him and got the best out of him in every session.
Another place I’d love to revisit!
Able 2 Access Physiotherapy
Well what can I say!! Leah is just the most amazing hippotherapy physio and we are so lucky to have her.
Harri has been working with Leah since he was 2 years old. What an amazingly beneficial experience it is for him and simply joyous for me to watch him work with these beautiful creatures and these wonderful volunteers.
It’s an hours drive there and back but boy is it worth it! ❤️
Leah said "Hippotherapy is lead by a Physiotherapist utilising the horse's movement for rehabilitation. The horse's movement mirrors the movement of the human pelvis during walking and provides an intensive therapy platform. Physiotherapy that is outdoor based, sensory rich and novel environment to allow Therapeutic play! Harri struggles with multipke joint and muscle stiffness as a result of abnormal tone; which affects his walking and functional use of right arm. In therapy sessions, the horse helps to gently mobilise joints and regulate his muscle tone allowing Harri to recruit muscles repetitively (over 2000 times each 30 minute session), in the correct neurological firing pattern for walking. Essentially it is Hard-wiring the brain to normalise Harri's muscle tone and balance reactions to functional movement patterns. Hippotherapy has provided long term maintenance of Harri's condition since the age of two and works alongside his educational , occupational and Pysiotherapy input to achieve his developmental milestones and rehabilitation journey."
Healing Waves, Jersey
This was Harri’s first experience of surfing and what an amazing time we all had! It was so inspirational watching him in the water with Dom and Max.
His little face was just pure happiness… such an emotional experience. Just look at the pictures and you’ll see!
We can not recommend these guys enough! ❤️
Southfields RDA
Harri can be a bit tricky at times with his hippotherapy. He often gets quite emotional and challenging before getting on Pickle the horse… it can be a hard graft just getting his hat on!!
This team are so patient and kind, supporting him through this transition and into his therapy session and once on his horse he absolutely loves it! He has come a long way since his first session. In fact he is getting so used to his sessions with Pickle that his cheeky and mischievous personality is starting to emerge.
Watch this space!!
The Dorset Children’s Foundation
The DCF have supported Harri in his fundraising journey and more generally with fun activities, gifts and experiences for many years. They provide a invaluable support to parents and carers and are always there with help and advice when needed.
Patsy, Scott and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable, wonderfully kind and caring. They have also managed to build up a fantastic network of contacts and professionals in our local area who are available to anyone who might need them. ❤️
Wild and Free Therapy
More water fun… what more could Harri want! He absolutely loves to be in and near the water and as you’ll see from these photos he’s always had the best time with this team. They are all so kind, caring, patient and encouraging. We can’t wait for our next session 🥰
Just4Children
Just4Children is passionate about the relief of sickness
and preservation of health of children in the UK.
Just4Children have recently set up a fundraiser for Harri and have been incredibly supportive and helpful. ❤️
Patterns 4 Development
We have visited Margaret on two separate occasions to out about her methods and ideas to improve Harri's patterns of movement. Although the sessions are quite a workout for Harri and us!! Both physically and emotionally, we have seen real positive changes in his abilities immediately after both his intensive courses.
Everyone
We would like to thank all our family, friends and many strangers who have helped and supported us through our fundraising journey.
It’s not an easy thing to ask people for help and we are so thankful and appreciative to everyone who has contributed in any way.
Every penny counts and every post share and message helps our cause and means so very much 🙏🏻❤️
Call to Action
Harri requires life changing SDR surgery to permanently remove the spasticity in his legs which currently impacts his daily life and makes it challenging to keep him safe both at home and at school.