Giving Harry a Helping Hand – The Final Fundraising Push!

Seven-year-old Harry is just like any other little boy – he loves football (in particular, Erling Haaland) and anything related to WWE. He loves watching YouTube, and his mum, Kim, describes him as a ‘little firecracker’ who throws himself into anything that comes his way. He is also one of the most sociable boys in school.

Harry was born with Cerebral Palsy and has a left-sided brain injury which limits movement on the right-hand side of his body, particularly in his right arm, shoulder and hand. He also struggles with his right leg. To support his movement, Harry wears an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on his right leg and a splint on his right arm. However, he is beginning to experience more pain in his arms, as well as sore legs, and becomes tired very quickly.

How Cerebral Palsy affects Harry’s everyday life
We spoke with Harry’s mum, Kim, about his condition. She explained that “it basically affects everything that Harry does, like getting dressed, the personal care side of things, putting glasses on, putting his jacket on and putting shoes on with a splint”, all of which can limit his independence.

Looking to the future, Kim worries about how Harry’s Cerebral Palsy might affect him as he “goes into the big wide world himself. [For example] certain doors that he might need to use two hands with or driving a car. We need to look at the bigger, wider picture for Harry for when he gets older, when he starts a job”.

Fundraising for intensive CIMT therapy
Harry currently receives occupational therapy, focusing on simple daily tasks such as doing up zips, which can be adapted to help him develop greater independence. However, his parents have also been fundraising with Tree of Hope to access Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT).

Kim explains that CIMT almost “rewires the brain waves going to his arm. Because of his condition, he’s got brain damage on the left side, which controls the right side. With this treatment, he’s basically forced to use his helping hand as we call it”, which is the side affected by weakness.

CIMT is a therapy used for children who experience weakness or reduced movement on one side of their body. Children with Cerebral Palsy may naturally rely on their stronger hand or arm or avoid using their weaker side altogether. CIMT encourages the use of the affected hand by restricting use of the stronger side, helping children practise and develop movement in their weaker limb.

While the NHS can provide CIMT therapy, Harry’s family believe that a more intensive programme, supporting him over three to four weeks for up to three hours each day, would provide greater benefits for his movement and future independence.

Why early therapy can be so important
Therapy during childhood can help children develop skills that support them throughout their lives. Childhood is a period of rapid brain development, and CIMT takes advantage of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form new connections in response to repeated practice and movement.

For children with Cerebral Palsy, intensive therapy such as CIMT can help with:

• Building new neural pathways through repeated movement and practice.

• Improving strength, coordination and motor control in the affected limb.

• Developing practical skills such as dressing, eating, playing and reaching.

• Increasing confidence and independence in everyday activities.

For Harry, these everyday improvements could make a huge difference.

The therapy doesn’t stop after the intensive block finishes either. Harry and his family will be given an at-home course to complete for six months, with reviews taking place in between to ensure that the treatment is still having the maximum impact.

Fundraising with Tree of Hope for CIMT therapy
Harry’s family have been fundraising with Tree of Hope for two years to provide him with this intensive therapy. They have been incredibly active with their fundraising, including tombola sales at local supermarkets and bake sales through work.

There have also been some rather unforgettable fundraising events. Kim told us how she “jumped from 10,000ft last year and then this year we jumped from 14,000ft, which is an absolute experience! Harry’s dad has done the Hadrian’s Wall walk which was 84 miles. That was a struggle for him, but he managed to do that in four days, although he did have to take off a few miles because he sustained an injury, but he walked about 79 miles, which is still absolutely amazing.”

Harry’s fundraising campaign is now reaching its final stages, with the family nearing their target. However, one final fundraising push is still needed.

Kim has a few more plans up her sleeve, including applying for additional funding and “I possibly might end up shaving my hair. I’m hoping not, because my kids have said ‘please don’t!’ We’re also talking about a charity fun night as well, or even at the charity night, I could shave my head then!”

Staying motivated while fundraising
As with any fundraising campaign, there have been highs and lows along the way. Kim has had moments where she has reached out to Tree of Hope “to say look, we’ve hit a wall. What do we do? Even though we were having down days, we knew we can't give up, we've got to carry on”.

Whenever motivation has been difficult, Harry has remained at the forefront of their minds:

Advice to other families fundraising for their child
For other families considering fundraising for their child’s medical needs, Kim has some simple advice:

Support Harry’s final fundraising push
Harry’s family are so close to reaching their target. You can support Harry’s campaign and help them get to the finish line here: https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/giving-harry-a-helping-hand

Or you can follow his journey on Instagram at @giving_harry_a_helping_hand.

If you are looking for CIMT therapy for your child, support with Cerebral Palsy therapies, or a way to fundraise for specialist treatment, equipment or therapy, Tree of Hope can help families turn their fundraising ideas into action.