The family of a brave young child who sustained major injuries after an accident at home, has thanked the community for their support.
Olly Clarke had just turned two when he drank a corrosive substance, which left his mouth, throat and stomach burned. Young Olly, who is from the Shankill Road, is now admitted to hospital every two weeks to have a dilatation procedure done to reopen his throat.
Next month, he will fly to London with his parents, to have major oesophageal surgery, lasting 11 hours. He will spend at least six weeks away from his siblings Sadie and Denni, family and friends.
Read more: NI parents open up about hidden costs when children are in hospital
Speaking to Belfast Live, Olly's mum Katelyn said despite all he has been through, her little boy has shown determination to keep going.
"Since his accident, which was on June 1 two years ago, it still gives me nightmares," she said.
"It was just a normal summers day. It was really sunny and we were all out with the kids playing on the street. Within the space of a few seconds, Olly had lifted a car cleaning substance off the wall and drank it.
"He was only two at the time. The injuries were bad and he went into hospital straight away. He was in intensive care for five days before being put on a ward for 10 days.
"From he left the hospital in June 2021, every single fortnight, he goes to hospital to have a balloon dilatation of his throat. He is taken into theatre and sedated for the procedure. He has an NG tube too.
"On July 3, he will be going for his surgery, and it is a basically a throat replacement."
Olly's aunt Amy has set up the Go Fund Me page, to take some financial burden off the young family while they are away for his surgery next month.
In less than 24 hours, over £400 had been raised by people who know Olly, and others touched by his journey to recovery. Katelyn says they have been blown away by the support.
"We don't know how we'll have time to do much while we are over there, in terms of shopping and washing, so we cant thank people enough for donating," she added.
"I want to thank everyone for helping us because it had been crazy. People have really stepped up to help us over the last two years, for Olly.
"Olly just loves motorbikes, he is obsessed with them. He is just so full of energy and is always happy. He is graduating nursery this month, and has been so storng throughout the whole thing. When he goes to hospital, he rules the Knox Ward, they all love him there.
"Any money that is raised and not used for Olly will be donated to the Knox Ward in the RVH Children’s. They have helped Olly for the past two years and they are amazing with him.
"After his procedure, it takes him a couple of days to get back to his full self again, and then before you know it, he has to go back for the next one. It drains him
"This surgery is the last option for him. For the first 12-36 months after the treatment, it will be crucial. They have tried everything for Olly, they have tried steroids in his throat, bigger size balloons on stretches and also fitted a stent. Nothing has helped so this is the very last option for him."
Please click this link to donate to Olly Clarke's fundraiser.
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