Young goalkeeper takes on fundraising challenge inspired by NHS Hero parents
Harrison Garratt is eight years old and is a keen footballer, playing in Stoke City’s Academy team. His parents, Will and Hayley, are nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and have been working exceptionally hard in recent weeks caring for patients during this difficult time. Harrison was inspired by his parents to hold a special fundraising event.
Harrison has been keen to show his support for his parents.
On Sunday 10 May Harrison is going to be cycling 43 miles, alongside his dad, which is the distance from his home to the Stoke City FC training ground where he plays. After he has completed his epic bike ride he’s then going to be testing his dad’s footballing skills as the pair will be playing in the back garden until Will has managed to score 100 goals past his son!
Footie-mad Harrison has been applauding the NHS wearing his beloved goalkeeping kit.
Will is a Neuro Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and during the COVID-19 outbreak has been working hard to deliver the best care possible to patients across the hospital.
Speaking of his son’s fundraising idea Will said: “Between Hayley and I we have been working alternate shifts to help with the recent pandemic. Harrison asked if he can play his own part, and wanted to help people with COVID-19. He’s been on trial at Stoke’s Academy since before Christmas and he’s missed this dearly during the lockdown so together we came up with the idea to turn football into fundraising.
Will and Harrison love going to watch football together.
“We’re going to be cycling 43 miles between us on an exercise bike before heading into the garden for our football challenge. He’s a brilliant goalkeeper and I’m not so good at football so we might be there all night before I score 100 goals!”
Harrison and Will are taking on the challenge on Sunday 10 May, with the proceeds from their challenge going to University Hospitals Birmingham Charity to help them to provide more for the NHS Superheroes at the hospital.
University Hospitals Birmingham Charity has been helping to fund tables for patients across the hospital, as during the pandemic patients cannot receive visitors to the hospital. The tablets are helping patients to stay in contact with their loved ones, as well as providing them with entertainment.
Will said: “Harrison initially wanted to raise £100 to help fund a tablet, he said to me ‘Maybe we could buy an iPad Dad and if someone is dying, they could see their family for the last time because of me…’ I had to walk out of the room and wipe my eyes at this point I won’t lie.”
The donations made to Harrison's fundraising will help to fund items such as tablets and radios for our patients.
Harrison has smashed his initial target of £100 and is currently on £1,400!
Cathryn Worth, Fundraising Manager at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at the hospital I would like to thank Harrison for his incredible fundraising efforts! The money that he has raised will help us to do so much to support our patients and the NHS Superheroes who are treating them at this tough time. Alongside the tablets, we’ve also been funding radios and activity packs for our patients, and funding staff welfare hubs full of supplies and for our incredible NHS staff.
“Good luck for the challenge, we are all looking forward to watching the videos of you and your dad taking on this amazing day of fundraising.”