LITTLE Harrison Dilling wins over everyone he meets with his cheeky grin.

But life is not always fun for the three-year-old and his family, as Harrison has cerebral palsy.

Born nine weeks early at Poole Hospital, Harrison was given a routine CT scan and a subsequent MRI scan, given to all babies born before 33 weeks, where it was discovered he had received brain damage at some stage during pregnancy, meaning his motor skills would be affected.

While much of the condition was evident, it wasn’t until he was six months old that he was fully diagnosed with the condition and his parents, Jo and Jon, were told he was actually quadriplegic and concerns were also raised about his eyesight.

“We now know his sight is okay,” explained Jo.

“He wears glasses and he’s got very good hearing, is very bright, but is severely physically disabled.

“Although he doesn’t know what it’s like to be able-bodied, he can see what others are doing around him and wants to join in, which he finds extremely frustrating.”

Harrison, a part-time pupil at Victoria School in Branksome, has regular physiotherapy, speech and language therapy since he is unable to talk yet, hydrotherapy and even Botox treatments – meaning long journeys to Bristol Hospital – which help to relax his muscles and allow for more intensive physio on his legs.

Jon and Jo, who live with Harrison and his brother Reece, five, in Glenmoor Road, Ferndown, have received invaluable support from Home Start, Sure Start and children’s hospice Julia’s House.

But they have been overwhelmed by offers of help from friends and family, so decided to invest and set up Harrison’s Trust Fund to allow supporters to donate and also to follow Harrison’s progress.

Jon, who works for a publishing company, said: “We need all sorts of kit, therapy, changes to the house and we’re having to now get a special car seat for him, which costs £2,500.

“While we can get help with some things, and special grants, it doesn’t go all the way. I didn’t feel comfortable when people wanted to help just taking money from them, so we set up a website.

“It gives a focal point for what we need, people that we approach for fundraising can see our story and we can report on it what we’ve spent money on.

“It’s all about him being as independent as possible.”

• To find out more, visit harrisonstrustfund.co.uk, email info@ harrisonstrustfund.co.uk or visit Facebook.com/harrisonstrustfund