A five-year-old boy, who was given a slim chance of survival after a caravan fire that took the life of his younger brother, has raised over £12,000 for a charity dedicated to supporting burn victims.
Harley Harvey was left in a critical condition following a fire in the early hours of Sunday, 19 January, 2020, in Ffair Rhos near Pontrhydfendigaid, which sadly killed his younger brother, Zac, 3, and hospitalised his father, Shaun.
On 15 February, Harley, 5, and his brother, Alex, 10, began their challenge to climb the “equivalent of Mount Everest from home” before 10 May, to raise money for a charity close to the family’s hearts, the Welsh Dragon Burns Club in Swansea.
The brothers will have to climb a total of 8,848 metres and 44,239 steps. To accomplish this, the boys will climb the stairs in their home a “whopping” 3,403 times over the 12-week period.
A month into the challenge and the brothers have already smashed their £3,000 fundraising target, raising £12,712 for the Welsh Dragon Burns Club, which “provides ongoing care and services for children with burn injuries like Harley”.
Erin Harvey, Harley’s mother, said: “The boys wanted to do something to raise money for one of the many great charities that have helped us along this journey since the fire.
“With lockdowns and travel restrictions, this challenge was the next best thing to climbing Snowdon, which was originally what they had wanted to do.
“They are enjoying it, but some days have been a little trickier.
“When Harley is tired he needs some extra motivation. But they always get it done.”
Erin added: “Harley has received amazing care in Morriston Hospital in Swansea which he will continue to receive through out his childhood.
“And once activities can return will be involved with this amazing charity, the Welsh Dragon Burns Club, and all of their activities and events.”
A year on from the blaze, Erin said Harley is nervous for an operation this week but doing “really well”.
After the fire, Harley was airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he stayed for around six weeks. Erin said it was “hard” to adjust to life at home after this stint in the hospital, but she spoke of the invaluable support both Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, and the Welsh Dragons Burn Club have provided for Harley and his family.
In September 2020, Erin also raised £833 for Wales Air Ambulance, through a charity sky dive, to thank them for “their part in saving Harley”.
Erin told the Cambrian News last May, their “family will never be the same again” after the loss of Zac, who she described as a “little ray of sunshine”.
A year on from Zac’s death, Erin said: “It hasn’t got any easier that’s for sure.
“There is a lot of bad days but we are trying to stay positive and the challenge is a welcome distraction.”
To donate to Harley and Alex’s challenge, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harleysjourney-1