Superhero seven year old amputee smashes wonderwheels challenge
A superhero seven-year-old who battled through adversity says he is proud to have raised more than £10,000 for the charity that has helped him and his family.
It was with his best friend by his side that Arthur Stone completed a mammoth 20KM ‘wonderwheels’ challenge on Thursday in the playground of Staple Hill Primary School. He was joined by pupils in his class bubble, all wearing superhero masks they had made in class.
The seven-year-old amputee from Staple Hill initially set out, along with twin sisters Nancy and Zelda and friend Solomon Short, to raise £300 for LimbPower, a charity that helps support amputees and people with limb impairment. He has already smashed the target 30 times over.
“I really wanted to be a superhero and help LimbPower because they helped us and other families like us and because they will help me try loads of fun activities when Covid has gone away,” said Arthur, after completing his challenge on Thursday.
“I didn’t know we’d ever raise this much money though – I feel really proud.”
It was just after Christmas last year that Arthur, then six, was rushed to hospital with Meningococcal Septicaemia (a form of bacterial Meningitis). He was put into an induced coma for a week while septicaemia spread across his body and he battled for his life.
The family knew from early on that his legs wouldn’t make it but Arthur had to wait until February to have recovered enough to have the operation to have them amputated below the knee.
He had to endure a long and painful recovery process, with more trips to theatre, constant physiotherapy and wound care. Arthur stopped eating from the stress and lost some hair but his parents, Serena Askew and Alex Stone, say he never gave up.
Eventually, the day after lockdown started, Arthur was allowed to return home.
Serena admits she was nervous about sharing the family’s story as it was all still very raw, but says the outpouring of love and support has made it a really positive experience for all of them and Arthur’s confidence has soared.
“I’d like to praise Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital for saving Arthur’s life and giving wonderful care and support throughout,” she tells Bristol24/7.
“In March, the ward we’d lived in for three months was turned in to a Covid ward overnight and the staff and patients split up and moved all over the hospital, wherever we would fit. The staff and nurses remained kind, calm and positive in the face of the unknown – legends.”
Serena adds: “I’d like to mention that children born before September 2015 were not vaccinated against MenB. I hope people will consider that. You never think it will happen to your child, but we are proof that it does.”
Arthur, Solomon, Nancy and Zelda each received special medals from LimbPower for completing their challenge. The three-year-old twins weren’t allowed in the playground with their brother due to Covid restrictions, but re-enacted crossing the finishing line later at home.
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