By Sophy Ansell
An evening of music, magic and jollity in Warsash will be held in aid of determined three-year-old Harvey Young.
The event, on Friday September 6, has been organised by Phil Howard and Greg Hewins to raise funds for Help4Harvey and will feature entertainment from a variety of talented artists in the south of Hampshire.
Harvey Young balances on his own feet after surgery standing next to mum Natalie
Award-winning close up magician Mr E, acoustic musician Jim Cozens and Baadness are just some of the talents to be showcased during the evening at the Warsash Victory Hall.
Greg said the event came about after he talked to a member of Baadness and the director of past pantomimes by the Swanwick Pantomime Troupe (SPOTS), who host and perform regular charity nights.
Collectively they decided to organise a night out with entertainment for NATS staff and residents for Harvey who underwent an operation in America to remove the spasticity in his legs when he suffered spastic displegia, a type of cerebral palsy.
He said: “I’ve been involved in the charity since the beginning of the year. I have helped organise a pub quiz within the company, created an appeal video for the charity and I am currently editing a few more videos.
“It would be great to get £750.
“The aim of the evening is to give everyone a memorable night of entertainment whilst raising funds to support Harvey. This is around the 18th fundraiser we’ve done over the years, raising over £20,000 to date for various causes.”
Help4Harvey has raised £44,553 of the £50,000 goal, which funded the Locks Heath toddler’s life-changing operation that has seen him now balance on his own for the first time. Further money raised will be used to support the ongoing physiotherapy sessions Harvey is attending to continue his development.
Harvey’s dad Nick said they appreciated the fundraising efforts towards the youngster’s operation and recovery through physiotherapy.
Nick added: “It’s a slow ongoing process. We can see a change every day and the physiotherapist has predicted that he’ll be walking by Christmas.
“It’s a tough balance between not doing too much exercise to wear him out but enough for him to keep improving whilst also varying the exercises to keep Harvey interested.
“I hope people enjoy themselves and the entertainment at the event, but also dig deep and help to continue to give Harvey the best care he can get.”
Tickets to the event at 7pm cost £7.50 and are available by emailing greg.hewins2@nats.co.uk or at www.spots.panto.co.uk.