CASE STUDY
HARRY RAGLESS
A BOY with spina bifida and his father are both doing their bit for the community - but in completely different ways.
Harry Ragless usually spends 80 per cent of his time in a wheelchair due to his condition, which means his spine did not form properly in the womb and he has neurological damage to his legs and back and cannot feel his feet.
But inspired by the efforts of 100-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore, which have seen him raise around £30million for the NHS, Harry decided to raise money by walking with his frame and leg supports.
The determined sixyear-old from Oaksheath Gardens in Durrington, near Worthing, has raised £2,400 and rising within days of his parents launching a fundraising page for his efforts - smashing his £100 target.
He said: “I feel really good. I was shocked.”
His proud mother Selina Ragless said: “He has shocked us all. Because of his condition he tires easily but the other day he walked from our house to Vancouver Road, which is really far for him. We couldn’t believe it.”
As word of his exploits spread, Selina said people were coming out of their homes to applaud Harry, who attends West Park School in Marlborough Road, Goring, when he went out for a walk.
She said: “I feel overwhelmed to be honest. We owe the NHS so much; they have been there for him since he was born and will be there for him for the rest of his life. If we can give something back, that is all we want.”
In fact, Harry’s exploits grabbed the attention of Captain Tom himself - and his picture was featured on the Second World War veteran’s Instagram page.
Harry is not the only person in his family who is raising a smile in the community.
By day, his dad Steve is a warehouse manager but during his daily walk, he dons his Stars Wars outfit to bring a bit of fun to the neighbourhood. The 45-year-old said: “I love it. From my own experience, I remember the first Comic-Con I went to in Birmingham and I saw all these stormtroopers standing outside, and I went into full fanboy mode.”
The opportunity for him to get his own suit arose when a friend was selling theirs.
He said: “When I finally put it on, I just felt amazing in it. I love seeing the looks and smiles, and people tooting their car horns and waving. It brings a few smiles in these very strange times.”
Selina came up with the idea for him to wear it after they were put in lockdown, and during their walks around the estate Steve has posed for ‘socially-distant’ photos with some of the children who have come out to see him.
In his spare time, Steve has donned the costume to a variety of events, including birthday parties, weddings and charity events.
When the Connaught Cinema has done showings of Star Wars films, Steve has turned up in his gear to raise money for Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, a charity which has helped Harry.
When asked if there was anything he wanted to say to the people who have donated so far to his campaign, Harry said: “Thank you.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/selinaragless1.