A young lad who was given a mere one per cent chance of survival after being shot in the head has managed to raise over £8k for the heroes who saved his life.
Harry Studley, now nine years old, was just a toddler of 18 months when he was shot by a neighbour, with an air rifle pellet becoming lodged in his brain. The shooter, a 24 year old man, was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison after confessing to causing grievous bodily harm to Harry, who required immediate surgery.
Harry’s chances of survival were slim – a mere one per cent – and his family were left in the dark as to whether he would ever regain consciousness. However, against all odds, Harry pulled through, despite now living with lifelong conditions such as epilepsy and partial blindness.
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(Image: PA)
Harry and his father, Edward Studley, 30, participated in the Grand Walk for the Grand Appeal, aiming to raise funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The walk spanned 3.1 miles (5 kilometres) and despite facing initial challenges, Harry “ran across the finish line with a smile,” according to his dad.
“It was a fantastic day,” said Edward, hailing from Bristol. “Harry absolutely loves being the centre of attention – and he was the guest of honour, if you like.”
“He found it very difficult, and fell over a few times. But, he ran across that finish line with a smile on his face.”
(Image: Bristol Post / SWNS SWNS.com)
On the morning of the walk, Edward was informed that they had managed to raise £2k for the hospital – a figure which had ballooned to £8k by the end of the day.
An additional donation of £100 yesterday (12/10) brought the total to £8,126 – just in time for the duo to present the cheque to Harry’s former neurosurgeon, Michael Carter.
“It’s been absolutely insane to see the total go up and up,” Edward shared. “It really restored my faith in humanity. Yesterday was really emotional – seeing the bed where Harry spent so much time in recovery.”
“It was really wholesome to see Harry having a laugh and a joke with the surgeon who saved his life. Harry has come so far – considering we didn’t know if he was ever going to wake up or not. I’m one very proud dad, that’s for sure.”
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