Weekend of fun in Swindon to help send brave boy and family on holiday
9:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards
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Harley with mum Leanne Windslow, organiser Lindsay Loscombe, landlord Nigel Turrell and nan Mandy Windslow
A LITTLE boy who may not be able to walk by the time he is 10 is hoping for a dream getaway.
Eight-year-old Harley Stockwell was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was only three years old. The rare disease, which affects around 100 boys in the UK every year, causes his muscle to waste away, which could see him in a wheelchair by the age of 10.
Doctors thought Harley, who also suffers from autism, might have flat head syndrome to begin with, so when his parents heard the news they were devastated.
Mum Leanne Windslow and dad Marlon Stockwell, of Redhouse, have vowed to make every day count since the diagnosis, and with the help of the Windmill pub in Freshbrook, are looking to take a family holiday while they can all enjoy it.
Leanne, 30, said: “It was devastating to hear the news because Harley is my only child and it was really hard.
“It is a muscle-wasting disease and it starts with losing the ability to walk. The only part of his body that won’t be affected is his brain.
“He doesn’t know a lot about it, all he knows is that he isn’t going to be able to walk. Now we are just taking every day as it comes and making the most of it.”
In a bid to give Harley and his family something to smile about, Nigel Turrell, landlord of the Windmill, has organised a weekend of activities to raise money for a family holiday.
On Saturday there will be an all day poker tournament, with £10 from every entry going to the fund.
Then on Sunday there will be a family fun day from 11am which will include a bouncy castle, face painting and a FIFA Xbox challenge, with tickets costing £2.
Nigel said: “Harley’s granddad drinks in here and we were talking about Harley and what we could do for him.
“We would love to send Harley and his mum and dad on holiday, and make sure that everything is covered.
“We are hoping to raise £3,000 and that will pay for a limo to the airport, clothes for the holiday and spending money, so all they have to worry about is waking up in time to pack. We are a community pub and there would be something wrong if we couldn’t help a family in our community.”
When asked where Harley would like to go on holiday, he replied with the unusual destination of Russia.
Leanne said: “It is really touching that people out there want to do something to help him and I think that is how Harley feels as well.
“To have a holiday means so much to us, it will be nice to be able to get the family out while Harley can still enjoy it.”
To play poker, or for information about the weekend contact the Windmill pub on 01793 873227.
