Helping Haaris to hear

FULL support: Haaris (front) with his classmates

Pals backing bid to raise £11,000

A little boy who suddenly lost his hearing and speech at the age of three is counting on family, friends and classmates to raise £11,000 to buy him life-changing equipment.

Haaris Mirza (7), a pupil at Friezland School, is desperate to be fitted with Neptune processors, a new type of body-worn hearing aid that would let him hear when he plays sports and swims — things he can’t currently do.

His mum, Lizzie and teachers at his school are organising fundraising events to give Haaris a chance at living a more normal life.

Mum-of-three Lizzie, who has learned sign language, will host a charity night at the White Hart, in Lydgate, in July, featuring a three-course dinner, entertainment, dancing and raffle.

“Haaris became deaf at about three and a half after he contracted a virus. He couldn’t hear anything and lost all the speech he had built up.

“We tried him with hearing aids but they didn’t work, so since 2009 he’s had cochlear implants, but they aren’t practical for the things he wants to do. He can’t fit a helmet to ride a bike, he can’t hear anything underwater or when he is running around, which is heartbreaking because he loves being underwater and is a massive football fan.

“It was a shock for us all when he lost his hearing. There were a lot of tears and a lot of anger, so it has been very hard.

“These new processors would open up a whole new world. They’re not available on the NHS and they cost £5,500 each. One would make a massive difference, two would be ideal.”

“We’ve already got £1,000 which has been raised through donations, but the fundraiser at the White Hart and here at the school will hopefully get us the funding we need.”