'HARLEY CAN LEAD A FULL LIFE..SEE WHAT I'VE DONE' Message of hope for meningitis boy.

Byline: AIDAN McGURRAN

HELEN Smith knows better than most what brave meningitis lad Harley Slack is going through.

Just like the four-year-old, she too had all four limbs amputated when she was struck down by the disease.

Realising the daunting future he and parents Samantha and Adam face, Helen, 34, has sent them a letter of hope.

She told them: "Harley can lead a full life." Just 10 years ago the Mirror reported how Helen's own dreams of a bright future were shat-terewhen she contracted meningococcal septicaemia at 22.

She had just started studying for a doctorate but awoke from a coma to find both legs amputated. Later she had part of both arms removed.

Helen, from Norwich, vowed to lead a normal life but her pleas for realistic-looking prosthetics that worked were turned down because they were only available privately.

But Mirror readers were so moved by her plight they donated over pounds 50,000 to pay new limbs. In a moving letter to Harley's parents, Helen says: "It breaks my heart to see another child lose all their limbs to this terrible disease.

'"As someone who has survived this disease I want you to know there is light at the end of a tunnel.

"I can drive, cook, do the gardening, write and draw. I've learnt to swim again and done lots of sports. Maybe Harley will be the next Paralympic champ!" Miriam: Page 42

HOW TO DONATE

Go online to: harleyslackfund.giving.officelive.com To make a donation, send cheques to: Harley Slack Fund c/o David Hulbert, 39 Nottingham Avenue, Brinnington, Stockport, SK5 8ET

CAPTION(S):

INSPIRATION Helen wants to help little Harley UPBEAT Harley is on mend in hospital with his parents