A BERRY HILL couple celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary have decided to use the occasion to raise funds for seven-year-old Harry Childs, who is waiting for a life-changing operation, after they read about his plight in the Review.

Stan and Shirley Preece celebrated 60 years of marriage last Thursday (March 22) with a party for friends and family at the weekend.

Their son Melvyn Powell, said: “Instead of receiving presents, Mum and Dad have decided to ask for donations for Harry’s operation. They know the family, so when they read about the situation they are in, they wanted to help.”

We featured Harry’s story last month, when his mother Sasha Evans, from Berry Hill, told us she needs to raise £40,000, to allow Harry to have an operation that could have been carried out on the NHS if he had been strong enough for it just two years previously.

The selective dhorsal rhizotomy may even allow Harry, who has cerebral palsy, to walk, as it would kill off nerves that cause his muscles to spasm.

Sasha thanked the Review for highlighting Harry’s story, and said: “We’ve raised nearly £10,000 already, which is wonderful. Loads of people told us they’d seen it in the Review and contacted us offering donations.

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to Stan and Shirley for their support and donations, and to thank everyone else who has helped us. We’re hopeful now of reaching our target as there’s so much going on.

“Last Saturday a disco at the Gamekeepers Inn in Five Acres raised £130 and another lady I know raised £115 at her relative’s 90th birthday party. Harry’s nan and her sister stood outside Morrisons with a bucket and raised over £200.

“Harry was thrilled as he was due to go out onto the pitch at Kingsholm Rugby Ground in Gloucester on Sunday to be part of the prematch parade.

“The club was planning to hold a collections for him but it had to be postponed due to the snow.

“A golf event is planned at Forest Hills Golf Club and there’s an angling event coming up and an auction and fundraising event in St Briavels.

“Harry gets really excited every time someone brings money round and he’s very happy about all the fundraising taking place.

“He keeps asking ‘Are we nearly there yet’?”

An Easter family disco to raise funds for Harry takes place on Easter Sunday, from 12noon to 4pm at Berry Hill Social Club.

For tickets, or to donate to Harry’s fund contact Sasha on 07426 929770, visit www.treeofhope.org.uk and search for Helping Harry or text HARC99£5 to 70070.