“During the first lockdown, we noticed something wasn't quite right with Harry. He was the six-month weaning stage but wasn't holding his head up. We put it down to the lockdowns, not being out & about and looking around, perhaps.

We got him checked out, but with the impact of Covid, everything was delayed. We didn't get the diagnosis until April the following year which is when we found out his brain didn't form properly during pregnancy. He was diagnosed with ACC – which is when the bridge between the two hemispheres hasn’t formed. We were told there's no medication for it but it’s physical therapies he needed for his brain to learn how to do all the things our brains do automatically.

We were told that Harry needed physiotherapy and occupational therapy to make this happen. With these being scarce in the NHS, we were referred to Playskill. When we started the weekly sessions, it was amazing and just what he needed. He got stronger, he started to prop himself up, sitting, kneeling.

He doesn’t do what a child of his age would, but he's worked out his own way of getting around and began to feed himself. It’s thanks to these therapies and the support from Playskill that Harry was able to make this progress. Playskill really has been lifeline, a complete support, but not just for Harry with his physical needs, but also the emotional support for us all. Even when my husband had back surgery, everyone checking in on me as well as Harry and our other children too. It really is a true family. Having fellow parents who know what each other is going through is a hugely reassuring, even though we're completely different situations, there is a real understanding.” – Danusia, Harry’s mum

Leaving the comfort and support of Playskill sessions when Harry started school was very daunting but, in reality, it's been great. We still attend events and get to have a catch up with all our friends but we also have access to training and one to one family support. Harry has been able to build on the early skills he learnt in sessions which has been so crucial in his development.”

Harry’s whole family have gone on to fundraise for Playskill, having seen the charity’s work first-hand.

Harry’s Dad, Rob, said: “I started raising money for Playskill after seeing the impact they had on my son Harry, and on the whole family.

I wanted to give something back, and the Ultra Challenge gave me that opportunity. In 2023 I was joined by family and friends to walk the 25km Thames Bridges Trek in London, on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year! It turned from a walk in London to what felt like survival! But for me it was the start, a chance to face a challenge and push myself past my limits, at the same time as raising much needed funds for the charity. Fast forward to 2024 and our team dropped down to three but the distance doubled to the 50km Thames Path Challenge. This time the heat was not too bad, however the blisters made this an almost ‘never finished’ challenge! On that 13 hour walk it gave me a chance to reflect on why I was walking,

When Harry was diagnosed, we didn’t have a clue what to do, bang in the middle of Covid we had nowhere to turn, no answers to be had, two parents staring in to the unknown.

Playskill were the light in the dark, the help we needed, not just for Harry, but for us as parents. We made so many friends and Harry has a better social life than me!

As I entered the later stages of the walk, my feet blistered, my socks bloodied, I wanted to quit after every step. But it was the team at Playskill that pushed me on. As we crossed the finish line I felt like I’d just taken on the world and won, so a couple of weeks later the distance was doubled again and in 2025 we take on the 100km Thames Path Ultra Challenge.

Two of our daughters have also fundraised – Poppy challenged herself to the Ride London Freecycle event, just weeks after learning to ride a bike, and Skye raised money with a bake sale. Harry’s sisters also attending Playskill events – for siblings and events for the whole family, it’s great for them to be around other children who also have a sibling with a disability, where everyone is accepted. We do this for Playskill because of the work they do for so many families, without them so many people would be lost in the dark.”