MORE than 200 people helped raise £3,000 to improve the life of a young cerebral palsy sufferer.

Morris dancing, face painting, a raffle, hoopla, splat the rat, cakes, vintage car and Porsche rides were among the activities arranged by four-year-old Harrison Dilling’s Great Auntie Hil and Great Uncle Mike for the Quintessentially English Garden Party fundraiser.

Harrison, who lives with mum Joanne, dad Jon and big brother Reece in Glenmoor Road, Ferndown, is quadriplegic and severely physically disabled, constantly needing treatment and expensive equipment to help him become more independent.

His parents set up Harrison’s Trust Fund after being overwhelmed with kind donations from family and friends. Jon, who works in recruitment, said: “To say that the event was a success is a huge understatement. Magnificently organised, and needing to be due to the numbers turning up, it was a brilliant afternoon.

“With Hil and Mime both being Morris Dancers, entertainment was provided from various local Morris Dancers supporting their day. The Hobos, Bourne River Dancers, Dorset Buttons and Rapper Morris Dancers all danced magnificently in the sun, entertaining everyone and none more than Harrison himself, who had a whale of a time holding some bells and dancing along in his own way.”

Jon added he was thrilled with the amount of money raised, which would go towards Harrison’s treatment and vital equipment to make his life easier.

He said: “We must thank all those involved in organising the event, as well as those that danced and helped on the day.

“To go to such great lengths and to put on such an amazing event for our little man and raise so much money to help him is staggering.”

If you can help Harrison visit harrisonstrustfund.co.uk

 

The equipment Harrison needs

Harrison’s condition offers unlimited challenges and problems, both for Harrison his family, which is why Harrison’s Trust Fund was set up, to generate funds to ensure he can live as normal a life as possible.

But what is the fund being used towards?

“To be honest, the list is endless,” said Jon, “and to some extent still very unknown, especially with so many technical developments being invented that will inevitably help too.”

In some cases the equipment is to help him conduct the simplest of tasks in order to eliminate just some of his frustration. Currently, it is mainly equipment to ensure his body forms and grows correctly for later life.

Here are some examples of some of the things the family has already bought or will need to buy soon:

  • Specialised pushchair/wheelchair – £1,800 
  • Specialised car seat – £1,500
  • Sleep system – £1,600
  • Electric powered wheel chair – £8,000
  • Steering head adaption for electric wheelchair – £3,000 
  • Standing frame – £1,700
  • Relevant school holidays care – £1,000
  • Specialised bed – £2,000
  • Walking frame £1,500
  • Specialised indoor chair – £1,500