Harley gets go-ahead for life-changing op

QUEST . . . Harley Hesford is hoping to travel to the United States in April to have a life-changing operation

Family overwhelmed by support
A LITTLE boy who needs a life-changing operation to help him walk could undergo surgery in America just weeks after his ninth birthday.

Harley Hesford, from Failsworth, has cerebral palsy and needs a frame or modified bike to get around.

Doctors in America agreed to carry out an operation which will see him walk unaided only 12 months after surgery — as long as his family can raise £40,000 to cover flights and medical and living costs in the United States.

But only weeks after launching the Harley’s Quest appeal in September, the family’s £20,000 halfway mark looks set to be hit by Christmas. Harley, who celebrates his birthday in March, has been given the go-ahead for surgery in April.

His father, Paul (38), said he has been overwhelmed with the community support and generous donations to the appeal. He said: “The last few months have been hard and tiring but I’ve been overwhelmed with the support we’ve had. It’s been unbelievable, people we don’t know and parents at Harley’s school have been coming up to us with cheques.

“The local community has been amazing, they’ve rallied round, donated money and taken part in organised events. We are hoping to reach £20,000 by Christmas and it looks like we will be heading to America in April. We’re just waiting for a definite date.”

Harley, a pupil at South Failsworth Primary School, has refused to let his condition – diagnosed when he was eight months old — hold him back.

The procedure, which involves cutting some of the abnormal sensory nerve fibres that enter the spinal cord, could see him walk unaided a year after surgey. Though the operation is carried out in the UK, at a hospital in Wales, doctors rejected Harley as a suitable candidate.

Now the family is rest its hopes on medical staff at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.

Mr Hesford, a sales manager, said: “Harley is really chuffed and over the moon with so much money being raised.

“We were looking at the March operating list — but Harley didn’t want to miss seeing JLS in Manchester that month as he is a huge fan.”

Fundraising events still to come include:

::A raffle at the Tan Shop in Hollinwood.

::A sponsored 206-mile ride on an exercise bike at Failsworth Sports Centre on December 14.

::A charity night at the Mare and Foal pub, Failsworth on December 29.

::A bag pack at Morrisons, Failsworth, on January 7.

To make a donation or for more information visit www.harleysquest.moonfruit.com.