A YOUNG boy who fought off a potentially fatal illness earlier this year is hoping a generous reader will make his Christmas more comfortable.
Harrison Major, seven, was left struggling to walk after contracting meningococcal septicaemia, which led to sclerosis of the hips earlier this year.
The youngster, who has Down's syndrome, now relies on the use of a wheelchair to travel any distance as he has severe pain in his hips.
After discovering he could be on the NHS waiting list for a year to get measured for a suitable wheelchair, his family decided to make do in the interim with an adult chair.
Mum Vicky, of Broomwood Gardens, Pilgrims Hatch, said: "Harrison finds it increasingly difficult to walk, which is why he has to use the chair.
"But because it doesn't fit him and has no leg supports, it is actually causing him unnecessary discomfort as his legs dangle and put strain on his hips.
"Whenever we go out, people stare as the chair is too big for him so it's making me not want to take him out.
"He doesn't deserve to be looked at like that."
Family friend Alison Tahmasebi, of Sandringham Road, Pilgrims Hatch, is appealing to Gazette readers to step in and help the Major family.
She said: "We nearly lost Harrison at the start of this year; it was a nasty experience.
"He recovered from that, but this pain in his legs and hips started a month ago and now he's struggling to walk.
"He's a lovely little chap who goes to mainstream school and just gets on with life, despite the pain he's in.
"We would be so grateful if someone could pay the £400 for a child-size chair which would properly support Harrison and make him more comfortable.
"That's a lot of money we haven't got.
"It would make such a difference to the family's lives as they could go out more with Harrison."
If you would like to help Harrison, call the Gazette on 01245 602731.
