Pride of Britain Harmonie-Rose inspires nation with her bravery
INSPIRATIONAL Bath sevenyear-old Harmonie-Rose Allen has won a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award.
The quadruple amputee has inspired Bath and the nation with her courage and unbreakable spirit.
Harmonie-Rose won the ‘Child of Courage’ gong for her incredible strength, reports The Mirror.
And she also came face to face with superstar Ed Sheeran when he surprised her at a party held for her in London. The pair sat together and sang two of Ed’s hits – Shivers and Perfect.
Harmonie-Rose said: “I can’t really believe it. When he came out, I was thinking, ‘Is this really him?’ He was really kind and I just loved him.”
Harmonie-Rose’s mum Freya, 27, had told her they were going to film a documentary. She had no idea she was going to meet her hero pop star as she travelled to London with mum Freya, 27, and Ross, 29, and her younger sister Luna, three.
But when they arrived at cafe EL&N, Harmonie-Rose was thrilled to see it decorated with bright pink balloons, confetti, candy floss and flowers. And then came the big moment as Ed appeared with the three-tiered cake. The pair chatted about Harmonie-Rose’s favourite animals over a slice, while the multitalented star – who released his fourth solo album on Friday – made her balloons in the shape of her favourite poodles and roses.
Ed said: “I think she’s hugely deserving of the Pride of Britain Child of Courage award. She is incredible.”
Freya said: “It was like every little girl’s dream. When Ed came in, Harmonie-Rose was gobsmacked – she didn’t know what to say. It’s not often she’s speechless. I had a tear in my eye.”
Harmonie-Rose said: “I really love Ed Sheeran because he has an amazing singing voice. I sing Ed’s songs all the time in the car. I know all the words. I love music a lot because my name’s Harmonie and I just love singing. It was amazing. It was the best day ever.”
Freya added: “We never thought we would see this day, and we want to celebrate every single day that she has defied all the odds.
“She is our little miracle and an inspiration to all of us. She fought to stay here with her family, and for that we are all so grateful.
“She’s this big ball of energy and positivity that shines out to all of us. If I am having a bad day or thinking negatively, I look at her and feel so happy and positive. She’s always been our Child of Courage – and now she can be everyone’s.”
Harmonie-Rose was 10 months old, and had recently taken her first steps, when she started coughing and struggling for breath.
Doctors twice allowed her home from A&E, but the next day, she went floppy and a rash appeared. This time she was blue lit to Bristol Children’s Hospital but doctors did not know if she would survive the journey.
She arrived in a critical condition and her limbs had turned black. Meningococcal septicaemia had damaged her legs, arms and the tip of her nose, leaving surgeons with no choice but to amputate.
She was given a 10 per cent chance of survival, and her parents were asked for permission to turn off her life support if necessary.
Since then, and after more than 10 operations, she has beaten the odds.
With enormous public help and unique family support she has thrived and now loves writing, drawing as well as many sports including swimming, dancing and gymnastics.
In 2019, she crossed the finish line of the Bath Half Marathon on her prosthetics, raising £6,450 for the children’s charity, Time Is Precious.
During the first lockdown in 2020, she completed her 2.6 challenge, tackling six things doctors said she’d never do because of her disabilities, 26 times. These were running, singing, drawing, swimming, gymnastics and jumping, and she raised more than £76,000 for Meningitis Now.
Her latest challenge this year was to scale a climbing wall 100 times and run 500m for the first time on her blades in a bid to raise £20,000 for an accessible playground.
In March she received her first bionic arm. One of her first jobs was to paint her new nails and she can now hold her mum’s hand for the first time since she was a baby.
With a star-studded audience returning for the first time following the pandemic, and Carol Vorderman joined for the first time in the Awards’ 22-year history by co-host Ashley Banjo, Pride of Britain 2021 is a landmark in the national calendar as we bounce back from a tumultuous 18 months.
Host Carol Vorderman said: “My favourite part of the awards are the winners and how happy they are that they’re being celebrated.”
■ The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB will broadcast on ITV on November 4 at 8pm.