A community in Northampton has raised thousands of pounds to help support the family of a two-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.
Harvey Oldfield-Goode, of Kingsthorpe, is currently in Leicester Royal Infirmary hospital recovering from an operation to remove a tumour from his lung which involved taking out part of the lining of his heart and tightening his diaphram.
In a bid to support Harvey’s parents Tina and Simon, who have been staying with their son in the hospital since last October, a fund-raising event was held at The Romany pub, Trinity Avenue, on Sunday.
The event included car boot stalls, a dance display, a raffle and an auction with dozens of prizes donated by businesses and individuals in the town who wanted to help out Harvey’s family.
It is hoped that thousands of pounds will be raised from the event which will be used to help the family pay for hospital costs, such as parking, travel petrol, boarding and food and buy toys for the playroom on the ward where Harvey is being treated.
More than £2,000 has already been raised for a bucket collection outside Asda on Saturday.
Organiser Sara Smith said Harvey’s bravery had inspired the Kingsthorpe community to unite and support his family.
She said: “When you hear about what this two-and-a-half year old boy and his family are having to cope with it soon becomes obvious why he has support from all over the globe and why his local community have been so moved.
“The event has escalated so quickly and it shows the generoisty of local people.”
Irene Oldfield, Harvey’s grandmother, said: “Sara has done a fantastic job. I would like to thank her so much I am just overwhelmed.”
Harvey’s parents could not be at the event as they were at the hospital but a speech from Mr Oldfield-Goode stated that the couple was “humbled” by the support of the community.
He said: “As parents and as a toddler Harvey and us have had to experience things no family should and yet many do, and I guess when this journey started we felt so alone and I didn’t know how my family as a whole would make it through this bulldozer through outr lives.
“As the news spread so many people came to our aid, old friends, new friends and of course family, offering to help.”
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