BEST FOOT FORWARD
This Morning viewers have their hearts melted by seven-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer who took his first steps after £75,000 op
Football fan Harry Parker is walking after £45,000 donation from a stranger
THIS Morning viewers fell in love with “super cute” seven-year-old Harry Parker when he was seen walking on set after a life-changing operation funded by a stranger.
The Sun On Sunday earlier revealed the football mad lad, who suffers from a rare form of cerebral palsy, took his first steps after the £75,000 op on his spine.
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Harry’s parents Danielle and Glen, both 31, revealed that they had raised £15,000 towards the surgery when steel boss Glenn Tamplin stepped in and guaranteed to contribute any money that couldn't be raised through fundraising.
He ended up forking out £45,000 to help Harry achieve his dream of kicking a ball, while the family raised the rest.
Kindhearted Glenn, who owns Billericay Town Football Club, first met the family at a charity match at Waltham Abbey, Herts, when a bucket collection was doing the rounds.
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He said: “I asked what it was for and what was wrong with Harry and - being a father of five, with a boy of about Harry’s age - when they explained to me what the difference could be from a wheelchair to him even running one day, it melted my heart straight away.
“I offered to make a donation of £5000 there and then, and be unknown. Within minutes they were crying and hugging me.”
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But after mulling it over on a holiday in Dubai, Glenn, 45, called the family out of the blue.
Harry's dad Glen said: “Glenn phoned me. I was at work at the time but he said “Are you sitting down?”
“I said 'yes sure'. He said ‘I’ve been thinking about Harry. I couldn’t get it off my mind, actually.
"'I want this operation done in the next six months and I’m going to guarantee the rest of the money.’”
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Danielle told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby her son had been in constant pain before the op but three weeks afterwards, he was doing well.
She said: “We were told if he didn’t have this operation that in six years he would be wheelchair bound.
“But if it went the way we want it to, he would be pain free.
“We are hoping within a year he’ll be walking unaided and he will have progressed so much more.”
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To add to Harry's joy, it has since been announced that a stand at Billericay Town FC will be named after him.
Viewers were bowled over by the little lad.
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