No tricks, only treats in surprise hamper for poorly Harmony Morgan-Young from Sandwich thanks to Talk It Out
16:12, 02 November 2020
updated: 09:12, 03 November 2020
There were no tricks - just treats - waiting at the front door for a young girl in Sandwich who is undergoing treatment for bone cancer, this morning.
Just hours before nine-year-old Harmony Morgan-Young was expected to have her radiotherapy, she was surprised with a knock on the door from mental health group volunteers Talk It Out.
The youngster was misdiagnosed twice before finally getting access to the life-saving treatment she needs.
After reading about her story on KentOnline and thanks to National Lottery funding, group leader Tracy Carr and her committee wanted to send a special 'pick me up' to her and her family.
Accompanied by Adrian Friend, they delivered a boot-full of goodies including a sweetie platter, make-up, book and personalised bag for Harmony and other toys such as Lego for her two brothers - one of which is also having treatment for a bladder tumour.
Dad Aaron, an on-call firefighter, and mum Rebecca were not left out either, receiving wine, calendar and bath bombs gifts presented in a hamper.
Mrs Carr said: "As soon as I read the article, I knew we needed to do something for this family.
"To see their little faces light up, it was amazing. They were like kids at Christmas and it was so emotional to see. They were a lovely family."
The hampers have been funded by a £7,500 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, sourced by Colin Smith, which has helped supply hundreds of food parcels containing essential goods and the odd 'pick me up' to vulnerable people or anyone experiencing hard times because of Covid-19.
Mrs Carr said: "It makes it feel like the best grant we've ever received. We've had grants to keep the centre going, which we're so grateful for, but we've seen so much enjoyment from delivering these hampers to people.
"I felt very special being a part of the moment this morning. It's not a big thing we did but it just takes them away from their world of appointments and therapy.
"It's better than winning the lottery, going to a family that are going through so much. We've just got to keep doing it to keep people's spirits up."
Dad Aaron Morgan, 32, had been in on the surprise but had only told Harmony that there would something happening around 11am.
He said: "She and Marley sat in the living room waiting. It was more than we ever expected and we can't thank them enough.
"It opens your eyes to know there is people out there that are willing to help."
In April, Harmony was sent away from Deal's Victoria Hospital minor injuries unit and Margate's Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother hospital with antibiotics after developing a mysterious lump, fatigue and tingling in her fingers which was making her drop thing.
Doctors thought she was suffering an infection and even though blood tests on her second visit suggested this was not the case she was again sent away with antibiotics and told it may be in its early stages.
Thankfully a family friend, who is a paramedic, agreed it didn't look right and was able to book an X-ray for Harmony.
Results showed her forearm bone was being eaten into and further tests confirmed Harmony was suffering from Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer that eats away at bone and surrounding tissue.
The results in June dealt a second cruel blow to the family who were already reeling from the news Harmony's brother Marley, seven, was suffering from a benign tumour which has since been removed.
Harmony now attends the University College London Hospital every two weeks for chemotherapy. She is currently on her eleventh cycle of 14.
She is also undergoing radiotherapy five times a week and faces having her arm amputated from the elbow to stop the cancer returning.
Mr Morgan said the family often endure a three hour journey into the city for the 15-minute treatment so her new toys will be a welcome distraction.
He added: "Harmony is a very happy girl. She's a big make up fan. She'll be taking these bits up with her for radiotherapy.
"The first thing Marley did was make his Lego monster truck. He's built it all on his own. He has autism so for him to sit there, and not lose interest, was a big deal.
"It really lifted us all."
