Newry pair run Limerick Marathon fundraiser for brave Harry

Two-year-old Harry Collins’ spent 16 weeks in hospital after he choked on his lunch.

He was starved of oxygen to his brain for over three-quarters of an hour with Harry putting up a brave fight for life.

His mum, Shauna, told the Newry Reporter in March: “Like any other child, he would have been inclined to put as much into his mouth as he could.

“He brought it back up but on this occasion he couldn’t get a breath.

“When we took him to Daisy Hill he was in cardiac arrest. He was starved of oxygen for 45 to 50 minutes. They worked on him for 29 minutes.

“We were told there was nothing more they could do but they got the pulse just in time - they can only work on a child for half an hour.”

Harry was stabilised in Daisy Hill and then transferred to the Royal, spending 16 weeks in hospital altogether.

He has been diagnosed with a hypoxic brain injury and four limb movement disorder with predominant dystonia.

His vision has also been impaired, he now needs help eating and he has also been given a gastronomy tube.

“He will always be in a wheelchair. The brain damage is done, it’s what he can do down the line with physios, OTs and other services,” added Shauna.

“We are working on his eyesight at the minute as there are different things we can do to stimulate his eyes but nobody knows what other medical issues will come out of it down the line.”

In the latest of a series of fundraisers to help Harry’s family cope with his life-changing conditions, Joanne Haffey & Anna Moody are planning on running the Limerick City Marathon on Sunday, May 4.

"Harry spent four months in hospital and is now at home with his family,” said Joanne.

"He will require ongoing therapeutic intervention and specialist equipment. Harry’s family are dedicated to giving him the best quality of life that they can. The money raised here will go towards Harry’s ongoing needs, this will include any specialist equipment he may require as well as specialist therapies.”

To donate visit https://gofund.me/2adc5433