Larkhill boy smashes fundraising target doubling his walk around the moon
Harry Byrne's raising money for a Wiltshire and Hampshire charity
Last updated 10th Nov 2021
Harry Byrne from Larkhill has not only doubled his distance it takes to get around the moon, he has more than doubled his fundraising target.
He set a target of walking the distance around moon in fancy dress in a bid to raise £4,000 for a local Wiltshire charity who care for his brother Reuben.
But, Harry and his Moon Trekkers have completed 16490 miles, more than double the 6786miles - the distance around the moon, meaning Harry and Reuben have gone around the moon, twice.
His fundraising target has also double to £10,000 as people have donated more than £8,000.
The money will go to Julia’s House children’s hospice in Wiltshire and Naomi House & Jacksplace in Hampshire.
On October 31st they completed the moon trekking challenge which the group of moon trekkers began on July 31st.
The goal was to take Reuben around the moon, to demonstrate Harry's love to him in the biggest way, as he always says "Reuben I love you to the moon and back"
As well as leading three fancy dress walks past Stonehenge on the full moon days of 22nd August, 21st September and 20th October, the St Michael’s C of E Primary School pupil completed a mud run, 1000 jumps on a trampoline and pogo stick and much more.
REUBEN WAS BORN WITH A RARE CONDITION
Two-year-old Reuben was born with a condition that causes his brain to deteriorate – it’s so rare it doesn’t have a name yet, and there are fewer than 20 recorded cases worldwide. Sadly, the boys’ older sister Olivia died from the same condition when she was just eight months old. Because doctors are still learning about the condition, the family were told that ‘lightning wouldn’t strike twice’.
Harry’s mum, Sophie told Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury:
“We’re beyond proud of Harry. He has such a special bond with Reuben. He’ll put his arms out wide and tell him, I love you around the moon and back, and Reuben will always give Harry his biggest smiles.
“Reuben has hugely complex needs and needs round-the-clock care from someone who’s trained to look after him. It can be incredibly tiring for us. So when the Julia’s House nurses come into our home to give us those respite care breaks, it means we can switch off a little, and have peace of mind that Reuben’s in safe and loving hands.
“Reuben can have up to 10 seizures a day and it’s scary because it’s always in the back of your mind – is this one the last? He had one outside the school gates recently and Harry rushed straight away to get his brother’s oxygen for me. He stroked his head and was telling him, “It’s okay Reu Reu, it’s okay.”
“He’s just amazing with him and they’re both so brave. I think that’s what’s going to break our hearts the most when Reuben does pass away because they love each other so much.”