By Jenny Lingham-Doe
Titchfield toddler Harvey Young has got a date for the life-changing operation in the United States that could see him walk unaided.
Natalie, Harvey and Nick Young
The three-year-old from Bellflower in Titchfield will be jetting out to St Louis, Missouri, for the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) operation which he will undergo on June 4.
Mum Natalie said this was the date they had all been waiting for.
“We’re really looking forward to getting Harvey to America,” she said. “A big change is going to happen. We’ve taken Harvey up to Scotland for training to strengthen his muscles for after the operation.
“We were really impressed because Harvey has managed seven to eight steps on his own, there is a lot of hard work but Harvey is really determined and he is in the right frame of mind.
“We all really want June 4 to be here now. We’re hoping that by Christmas, Harvey will be walking on his own.”
The selective dorsal rhizotomy operation will cost Harvey’s family £50,000. The Help4Harvey charity campaign run by his parents has raised £17,500, and they need to get to £35,000 by the beginning of May.
A whole series of fundraising events have been held and more are in the pipeline.
The first is a pub quiz at The Parsons Collar in Whiteley on April 25 at 7pm.
A few days later on April 28, Help4Harvey is hosting a spinathon event at the Chamberlayne leisure centre in Southampton at £20 per bike sessions from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.
Also on this day a raffle has been organised with prizes such as a £50 Marks and Spencer’s voucher, a meal for four at the De Vere Hotel in Southampton and a pair of signed football boots from Southampton FC’s Adam Lallana.
On Saturday May 11 at Locks Heath Shopping Village a fundraising day has been planned involving many local businesses, running stalls at Locks Heath Market from 11am to help raise money for Help4Harvey.
A pampered chef party is being planned for May 24 at the Burridge Village Hall. This event will include free drinks and samples of the food cooked. There will be a door fee of £1.50.