LEWISHAM: Mother raises money to buy son new pair of legs (From News Shopper)

LEWISHAM: Mother raises money to buy son new pair of legs

7:00am Monday 4th May 2009 in Search By David Mills

A MOTHER wants to thank the people of Lewisham for helping raise money to buy her son a new set of prosthetic legs.

Carol Parry’s three-year-old son Harvey lost his legs to meningitis when he was 15-months-old.

Harvey was given eight sets of prosthetic legs by the NHS but they caused him so much pain his mother decided to raise money to buy a different pair from a prosthetics fitter based in New York.

Mrs Parry, raised £40,000 to go to New York in June 2008 to get Harvey a pair of legs, which he has now outgrown.

She has now raised £32,000 to fly out next week for a second pair, of which £6,800 was contributed by people in Lewisham.

The 46-year-old, who was brought up in Deptford and now lives in north London, said: “I want the people of Lewisham to know they have bought my son’s legs, I’m very grateful to them.

“Sometimes I was so upset I didn’t think I would raise the money, it’s really been an emotional time.”

Her sister Maureen Flanders, 51, would walk the streets of Lewisham fundraising with her at weekends.

Mrs Flanders, of Friendly Street, Deptford, said: “The Lewisham people played a big part in raising the money, they have been an enormous help.

“Without their help he would be back crawling on the floor.”

Money was raised through donations by people on the street, as well as by schools holding charity events.

Mother-of-two Mrs Parry says the legs made in New York are fantastic.

She said: “These legs have articulated knees and allow him to move his legs, bend on the floor, sit at the table.

“He couldn’t go out before but now he is discovering the world.”

But Mrs Parry says she will be in the same position again when Harvey grows out of this latest set of legs.

She said: “I will have to raise money again but next time I want to get him a pair of running legs, which will cost another £20,000.”

To follow Harvey’s story or make a donation visit harveyparry-appealfund.com