The familiar jingle of festive bells will be returning to Meriden’s streets next month, thanks to friendly local Rotarians.
Members of The Rotary Club of Meriden will be joined by volunteers when they take their sleigh out and about between December 4th-15th as children gear up for some pre-Christmas excitement – all in the name of fundraising.
The main beneficiaries will be the Rotary Foundation which is heavily involved with the worldwide eradication of polio, and local fundraising for Harvey and the Brave Little Soldiers.
The fundraising group was established in 2017 by the family of Harvey Charman, from Solihull, who was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease aged just six months. The rare degenerative and ultimately fatal condition interferes with the breakdown of fats in cells and vital organs like the brain and liver, leading to irreversible damage and dementia-like symptoms.
Harvey’s condition led the family to The Neimann-Pick UK charity which is dedicated to providing practical and emotional support to the individuals and families affected, and with which Harvey’s aunty, Jenny Geere, now works.
Jenny, who is leading her nephew’s fundraising campaign, said: “We have been fortunate to receive the incredible support of Rotary, an organisation known for making a positive impact in communities around the world. From the very beginning Rotary saw our vision and embraced our cause with open arms. Their ongoing
support has been nothing more than remarkable and we want to express our deepest appreciation for their contributions to our journey.”
Today, six-year-old Harvey is doing well at Reynalds Cross, a special school in Shirley, and fresh hope for the family has come in the form of a trial drug aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.
Jenny said: “The treatment involves fortnightly visits to the hospital for an IV infusion. Although this is not a cure, we truly believe this treatment has slowed disease progression and are hopeful a cure will be discovered.
“Although the progress of the disease means it is unlikely Harvey will ever walk or talk and will need significant care for the rest of his life, he has grown into a beautiful, loveable little boy. He has such a loving temperament, a contagious laugh and a smile that could light up any room.
“NPUK has been there every step of the way for the whole family. But for Harvey’s parents, Steve and Jenna, they have proved to be an absolute lifeline. They have been supported through clinic visits, helped when applying for necessary building work and have even received grants towards his specialist equipment. Above all, there is somebody at the end of the phone if and when anybody in the community needs to talk, ensuring they know they are not alone in this scary and uncertain time.”
More information about The Rotary Club of Meriden can be found at: https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=374
More information about NPUK can be found here: https://www.npuk.org/
The sleigh local routes are as follows. . .
December 4th – Kingshurst Route 1: Seeds of Hope Car Park, Overgreen Drive, Silverbirch Drive, Kingshurst Way, Hemlingford Way, Yorkswood Drive, Kingshurst Way, Fordbridge Road, Kingshurst Way, Oakthorp Drive, Broomcroft Drive, Overgreen Drive, Kingshurst Way, Silverbirch Road to Seeds of Hope.
December 6th – Kingshurst Route 2: Fordbridge Road opposite Solihull Community Housing Endeavor House, Chester Road, Overgreen Drive, Meriden Drive, Fordbridge Road.
December 7th – Millisons Wood: Albert Road, Grace Road, Bonneville Close, Olympus Close, Daytona Drive, Thebes Close, Armana Drive, Luxor Lane, James Dawson Drive, Main Road.
December 11th – Hampton-in-Arden Lower: Lapwing Drive, Nesfield Close, Corbett’s Close, Hampton Green, Meriden Road, Diddington Lane, Meriden Road, Old Station Road, finishing just before The Grove.
December 13th – Hampton-in-Arden Upper: Fentham Green, Engine Mews, Fentham Road, Meadow Drive, Fentham Close, Fentham Road, Marsh Lane, Elm Tree Rise, Marsh Lane, Bellemere Road, Solihull Road.
December 14th – Meriden Route 1: Maxstoke Lane (The Green), Wyatt Way, Letitia Way, Jubilee Close, Main Road, Strawberry Fields, Glovers Close, Waterfall Close, Main Road, Old Road, finishing at Queen’s Head.
December 15th – Meriden Route 2: Archery Road, Fillongley Road, Kittermaster Road, Highfield Road, Fillongley Road, Alspath Road, Alspath Road, Arden Close, Fairfield Rise, The Croft, Leys Lane, Centenary Drive, St Laurence Close, Mons Avenue, Leys Lane, Fillongley Road, finishing at the bridge.
Static street collections are also taking place in Kingshurst, Hampton-in-Arden and Meriden between 5.45-8pm. Christmas Tree Switch-on events take place on December 1st in Hampton-in-Arden Village Green at 5.30pm and on December 16th at Morrisons supermarket in Castle Bromwich.