Football star makes it a birthday to remember for Harvey
A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy with a life limiting muscle wasting disease had the thrill of his life when a Swansea City legend Lee Trundle paid him a visit at home for his birthday.
Little Harvey Doak, from Ogmore Vale, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) last year.
The condition – which usually affects boys in early childhood – is caused by mutations in the genes responsible for the functioning of a person’s muscles.
Men with DMD will usually only live into their 20s or 30s.
Harvey struggles to walk and now has to use a wheelchair to get around.
But that wasn’t going to stop him enjoying his sixth birthday, with mum Kirstie Smith, 27, saying it was “definitely a birthday to remember”.
Lee Trundle currently plays as a striker for Welsh Division One club Llanelli Town. He also works as the club ambassador and youth team coach for Premier League side Swansea City.
Harvey takes part in the Swans Community Trust programme called Physical Literacy at Brackla Sports Centre.
Designed to support young disabled people, the 10-week programme aims to develop and strengthen movement skills and hand-eye coordination as well as help children feel more confident playing sport.
And to say thank you for taking part, Harvey had a very special surprise after his birthday.
Kirstie said: “He answered the door and he was ecstatic.
“We’ve met Lee a cou- ple of times but this time he gave Harvey a pair of signed boots from [Swansea star] Alfie Mawson and a personal message from him on the iPad.
“Lee also gave him a 2018 calendar, a 2018 annual and an A4 poster fully signed by the squad and managers.
“We thought he might not come because where we live, it’s quite far to travel.
“But it was definitely a birthday to remember for a while.”