Development updates

Housebuilder supports Harry's campaign

- 05 Mar 19

National housebuilder, Bovis Homes, has stepped in to support a special event which is raising funds for Harry Deeba, a two-year-old from Norwich who needs life-saving treatment in the USA.

Harry’s Broadway Ball is being held at Dunston Hall in Norwich on Saturday 16th March and will welcome nearly 200 guests. Organisers are hoping to boost the fundraising effort with an auction which includes a bumper prize from Bovis Homes.

“We hope that the event is a huge success and provides a big boost for the fundraising effort,” says Lorraine Farrow, area sales manager at Bovis Homes. “We’ve donated an entertainment package for the auction – which includes a 50-inch TV, an iPad pro, a Bose sound bar and an Amazon echo – and we hope that it encourages guests to dig deep and give generously to this worthy cause.”

Harry was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, in January last year. As Harry is now nearing the end of his frontline treatment, it is looking hopeful that he will be in remission when he has his scans in April, but almost 50% of children diagnosed will relapse at some point, and when this happens, less than one in ten survive.

Harry’s parents, Carly and Ali Deeba, are trying to raise £239,000 to access a vaccine in New York that is showing promising signs in reducing the chances of relapse, giving Harry the best chance at living cancer-free.

“Harry has had so much thrown at him to rid him of this vile disease, but he takes it all in his stride and has coped remarkably well. Since his diagnosis, we haven’t asked for donations for Harry but now we need help to raise our target,” says Carly.

Michelle Bennett, who is co-organising Harry’s Broadway Ball, said: “Carly is a dear friend of mine. Our children would often play together weekly at playgroups, nursery and school, so when I heard about Harry’s news last January, I felt helpless for him and his family. When Carly put it out that she needed help, I jumped at the chance to do something.

“The team and I organising Harry’s Broadway Ball really want this event to be a huge success for the family and especially for Harry. It’s going to be a fabulous night!”

Harry’s Broadway Ball will be taking place at Dunston Hall in Norwich on Saturday 16th March, tickets cost £40 and will include a three-course meal, live music from Agent Orange and a magician. For further information about the event email harrysbroadwayball@gmail.com.

For further information and to donate to Harry’s appeal, go to https://solvingkidscancer.org.uk/campaigns/harrys-appeal/ or text HADE99 and your amount £1 - £10 to 70070. If you would like to help support Harry’s campaign, please get in touch with the fundraising team on 0207 284 0800 or fundraising@solvingkidcancer.org.uk