Children of Courage match at Huddersfield Town

Harry joined 9 children of courage at Huddersfield Towns game against Brighton. We all had a great day, despite Brighton winning 2-1
Meeting the other children and hearing their stories was very humbling.
As usual everyone at Town looked after us, thank you guys and Harry even got to meet his favourite player No.9 Lee Novak.

Yorkshire Children of Courage & Achievement Awards 2012

Harry was nominated by Catherine Lacy, Manager at KIDS in Wakefield and won The Special Recognition Award for being the 'Pride of Yorkshire' at an evening of being very humbled and privileged to be in a room with such inspiring children who won awards for bravery, fundraising and carer of the year.

Sharing the evening with him was his Grandparents and his brother and sister. Brilliant job Harry xx

We'd like to thank Catherine for nominating Harry xx

Stockley's Sweets

Harry and a group of 8 children all Huddersfield Town Fans had a visit to a sweet factory today.
They tasted some traditional sweets and watched as the sweets were made in the factory. They were then treated to lots of different sweets to take home and share with family and friends.

We were accompanied by Town legend Ambassador Andy Booth, who did a great football quiz on the coach on the way home & James (who took home 2 big boxes of sweets, he he)

We then went for lunch and then time to go home. Thank you so much to everyone at Stockley's Sweets who made the day so enjoyable & fun

The X Factor - Thank you HTAFC

One word WOW! What a great night Harry had at the X Factor result show, meeting the stars and experiencing a live show and the secrets you don't see on the Television :)

Harry met judge Louis Walsh who called Harry 'Sir' and some of the X Factor contestants who all were so nice and took the time to pose for a photograph with Harry. We had the best 2 seats with Simon Cowells' name on and Harry's written underneath, such a privilege to be a VIP Guest.

The X Factor

Harry & I are to be VIP guests of Simon Cowell on The X Factor Result show on Sunday 14th October, courtesy of Harry's favorite football team Huddersfield Town. Photos and write up to follow.

Huge thank you once again to the amazing people at HTAFC for giving Harry such a treat.

The difference!

A diagram to help explain the differences between Classical Progeria and Non Classical. Harry has Non Classical Progeria.

Progeria Reunion, Italy 2012

Harry and I have just had an amazing few days in beautiful Italy for this years Progeria Reunion. for Harry to be around children like him is so inspiring.

The love these kids have for each other is something only they understand. We never say goodbye only see you soon. We are counting down the days till we can all be together again.

London 2012 Olympic Gold Medal

Harry was invited to Huddersfield Town's Golden Game against Burnley today and he joined his fellow torch bearers from our area to line the pitch and welcome on the players. Harry also met Ed Clancy who won a Gold & Bronze Medal in Cycling.



Town won 2-0 :) Thank you again HTAFC for a great day.

Mirfield Show 2012 & The Queen

Thank you to The Mirfield Show, who invited Harry along to share his Olympic Torch. Harry had the pleasure of meeting a brilliant Queen look-a-like and he got to travel in style with her to the opening of the show. Thank you to everyone who came up and said hi to Harry and we hoped you enjoyed seeing the Olympic torch.

Thank you so much...

Harry & I would very much like to thank the children of Pudsey Lowtown Primary School who have raised a fantastic £150.00 for the Harry & Friends charity.

Harry had his photo taken with every pupil in the school and in turn the school have printed these out and asked for donations. We are thrilled that you took the time to do this for Harry & Friends and to send him photographs of your Olympic display and the winning Olympic torches and the Q&A's via interviews with Harry that you completed.

The interviews were written by the following children.

Emma & Charlotte
Ethan & John
Jake & Joseph
Lewis & Bailey
Maisie & Marija

Harry enjoyed reading them all and a BIG thank you from him too.

Well done everyone, it was lovely to meet you all and visit your school.

Dear Harry...

Harry has received some lovely cards and letters from people, thanking him for sharing his Olympic Torch. We keep them all in his scrap book, though I think soon he will need a scrap box!

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write to Harry.

Sharing the Olympic Torch...

We would like to thank the following schools and organisations for inviting Harry to visit and share his torch and talk about his torch event.

Castle Hall Academy, Mirfield


Crossley Fields J & I School, Mirfield


Crowlees Infant School, Mirfield


DRL Limited, Bolton


www.kids.org.uk


Heckmondwike Grammar School


Lowtown Primary School, Pudsey


Overthorpe J & I School, Thornhill


Ravensthorpe Infants School


Wellhouse Pre-School, Mirfield


A big thank you also to Wakefield Girls High School, for sending Harry framed photographs of his special day. Such a lovely keepsake for him.

The Olympic Torch & Flame in all its glory...

Olympic Torch Relay...

Wow what an incredibly emotional day that was, watching Harry carry the Olympic Torch through Wakefield. To hear 100's of people who have turned out to line the streets chanting and shouting "Harry, Harry, Harry" is something I will never ever forget and we'd like to take this moment to thank everyone of his family, friends and complete strangers who turned out to cheer Harry on. In the evening, we drove to Sheffield for the evening celebration where Harry appeared on BBC Look North alongside another torch bearer, Simon Brown and soldier wounded by an Afghan sniper. What an inspirational man Simon is & thank you Simon for being so great with Harry and sharing your story with him.

Almost here...

Harry's Moment to Shine is almost here. He is very excited for Monday 25th June and will be running with his Olympic torch from Bond Street to Wood Street in Wakefield. He will also be appearing on a special show from Sheffield with BBC Look North at 7pm following his relay.

Inspirational People...

Harry attended a press call today at a school in Wakefield, where he met some of his fellow Olympic Torch bearers. It was an honour for me to be in a room with such inspirational people. Harry was the only child amongst the adults and I was so proud of him, dealing with the photographers, media etc. That's my boy :) xx

Radio Star!!

Thank you to BBC Radio Leeds who invited Harry on Thursday 7th June to a chat about carrying the Olympic Torch. Harry was confident in his interview and enjoys talking on the radio! Jake Yapp the presenter was very funny and put Harry at ease straight away. We then had a meeting with a producer from BBC Look North about filming on being a torch bearer. More details to follow. Very exciting... Well done Harry you did fantastic as always xx

An Interview with Harry.

IINTERVIIEW WIITH HARRY CROWTHER We are all really proud of the fact that our own Harry Crowther (8LTT) has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch during the relay currently taking place around the UK. Mr Pugh interviewed Harry recently about this incredible experience....


Mr Pugh: How do you feel about taking part in the torch relay now?

Harry: I’m excited but nervous about everyone watching.

Mr Pugh: What exactly will you be doing on the day?

Harry: Running with the torch, over a distance of 300 metres, through an area of Wakefield between 10.38 and 11.49 on the morning of Monday 25 June.

Mr Pugh: What training have you been doing?

Harry: I’ve been doing some 300 metre running training during PE lessons.

Mr Pugh: Do you have to wear anything special on the big day? Perhaps your Castle Hall blazer with your top button done up, and your shirt tucked in (!)?

Harry: The 2012 team provide a white track suit with gold trim for each runner.

Mr Pugh: Do you get to keep the torch after the event?

Harry: There are 8000 individual torches and I plan to raise money to keep my own. My form (8LTT) have agreed to help me raise the £200 by running a sponsored relay on the field carrying a replica torch and holding a sponsored silence - both before the half term break.

Mr Pugh: How many people can go to watch you in Wakefield?

Harry: I will probably travel with my family. Mr Parsons is hoping to organize a coach to allow a representative number of students and staff to attend.

On behalf of everyone at Castle Hall, well done and good luck to Harry! We hope – on the day - that all Castle Hall Academy students will be able to watch Harry live on the website from classrooms.

Public Speaking!

Harry was invited to the Early Years unit at Overthorpe J&I School today to talk to the children about being chosen to carry the Olympic torch. I was so very proud of Harry. He spoke clearly and confidentley and most importantly age appropriatley to the children who ranged from 3-5 years old. We've offered to visit the children again with the torch for them to be able to see the real thing and not just pictures. Thank you to all the children & staff at Overthorpe who made Harry feel so welcome.

Harry's 1st TV debut!

Please tune in to watch Harry on SKY Channel 255 - Home & Health+ on the show Mystery Diagnosis on Wednesday 9th May at 1.00am. Thank you xx

Paediatric Leg Gaiters

Harry received his leg gaiters from Orthotics yesterday. He has to wear them for 30 minutes a day to support, strengthen and hopfully straighten his tight hamstrings. We will start with just 5 minutes a day for the first week and then gradually build up the time. They are bigger than I imagined and it is yet another reminder that he has a Progeria. They dont bother Harry so I guess that's the most important thing.

They did it!!

Congratulations and lots of love to Charlotte & Becky from Harry & Hayley as the girls crossed the finishing line after running 272 miles from Harry's home in Mirfield on the 5th April 2012, Yorkshire to Cranbrook, Kent 14th April 2012 the home of Hayley's sister Charlotte.

Over £5,000.00 has been raised for the Progeria Family Circle UK

Harry's dad John joined the girls for the final 6 miles too. So proud of him for running 36 miles in total. Love you John/Daddy xx

Harry & The Olympic Torch

Meet the outstanding 66 year old Pat who is the oldest known Olympic torch bearer in Kirklees, having her photo taken with Harry who at 13 is the youngest in Kirklees. Pat is such an inspirational lady, who runs marathons for charity. We would like to wish her all the best for when she runs the London Marathon on the 22nd April 2012.

Ten in Ten

Thursday 5th April was the 1st Marathon in a long 10 days of 10 Marathons!!!

The guys did amazing

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-in-Ten/125857620871992

Progeria Family Circle UK Marathon Day 1

Harry's Dad, John. Hayley's sister Charlotte and friends Becky & Tim set off from our house today on the first of 10 marathons in 10 days. I am so proud of my husband who ran an outstanding 29 miles today. The most he has run is 13!! A great big thank you to Charlotte, Becky & Tim for motivating John and keeping him going. Harry is so proud of his dad as I am proud of all of them for running their legs off in support of Harry and Hayley and children with Progeria

Fun & Physiotherapy

Today, at last is a lovely, warm spring day and Harry's enjoyed some fun and physio in his hot tub. This is the best type of excercise for children with a Progeria as the water is warm and gentle on their joints.

Harry spends more time under the water, doing somersaults and headstands, something which is impossible for him to do out of water on dry land. I love watching him have fun in the water & for a short while I can forget that his joints are stiff and cause him to ache. He should have been a dolphin :)

Harry's dad in training for Run!!!

Harry's dad John is training really hard so that he can set off on the challenge with Charlotte and Becky when they commence their mammoth run on Thursday 5th April. John is very much hoping to at least run with them for 10-20 miles

Over a £1000 has been raised so far for the Progeria Family Circle. Thank you to those who have so very kindly donated. If you would like to donate please follow the link www.progeriafamilycircle.co.uk to the right of this post. Thank you

Good luck John, Charlotte & Becky xxxx

Harry & The Olympic Torch

We are pleased to announce that Harry will be carrying the Olympic Torch on Monday 25th June in Wakefield. Go Harry!!!!!

ICE - In Case of Emergency - UTAG

Harry has worn a medical alert dog tag for a few years now, which informs people of his anesthetic alert and a difficult Intubation. However Harry now wears a dog tag with a USB stick attached which has his full medical details on. Progeria is so extremely rare that not many Doctors and medical professionals will see a case in their life time. So by putting all the details about Harry's form of Progeria on his dog tag gives them a better understanding and educates them in Progeria. Hopefully Harry will never have the need to share this information on his ICE dog tag and will keep safe from harm, but as the saying goes 'Better to be safe than sorry'.

Follow Harry's story by email

You can now keep up to date with what Harry does and read the latest news here first by just adding your email address to the link on this page. This is a free subscription and we hope you enjoy keeping up with Harry and his adventures.

Thank you

Those pesky tight Hamstrings!

Part of Harry's Progeria leaves him with extremely tight hamstrings, and when Harry is barefoot he, continually walks on this tip toes. After a recent hydrotherapy session his physio noted that his hamstrings on his right leg are really tight which causes Harry to have continual aches and pain in his legs on top of the arthritis.

So she has suggested that he should have an appointment to have a splint fitted, which he will wear for 30 minutes a day to strengthen his hamstrings and believe me Harry really does not like to do his physiotherapy exercises for his hamstrings. So at this present time we are awaiting an appointment to see the specialist. I'll up date later.

When Harry met Hayley - 10 Marathons in 10 days!!

Harry's friend Hayley has an amazing big sister, Charlotte who along with her friend Becky are running 10 marathons in 10 days to raise money for The Progeria Family Circle. The run will start from our home with Harry cheering them on and will finish 10 days later in Bexhill where Hayley will welcome home the tired but amazing Charlotte and Becky.

Go girls!!!!


I will post further details at a later date. So watch this space!

You can now view the website and make a donation at http://www.progeriafamilycircle.co.uk/ or see link attached. Thank you

Teenager!

Happy 13th Birthday Harry.

Congratulations Harry...

I have just listened to our answer machine and on Saturday 14th January Harry missed a call from Sir Patrick Stewart. Sir Patrick has left Harry an amazing message congratulating him on being chosen as an Olympic Torch Bearer.. Thank you Sir Patrick youve made Harry's day :))