Lying in a hospital bed recovering from a terrifying car crash, Harry Gibson was tormented by one terrifying thought: would he ever be able to play football again?
Eleven-year-old Harry had to have a foot amputated after he was seriously injured on the Great North Road, in Gosforth, Newcastle, in 2021. The Gosforth Central Middle School pupil, previously a keen player at Great Park Juniors, hit 'rock bottom', thinking this would mean the end of his time on the football pitch.
But now, almost 12 months later, Harry 'couldn't be happier', as he prepares to represent his country at an international football training camp.
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It's all thanks to the England Amputee Football Association (EAFA), who showed Harry that his injury didn't have to be the end of his dreams. They've invited Harry, along with a number of other young players, to be part of the England delegation at the European Amputee Football Federation camp, which brings amputee children from around the world together to play sport.
The camp will include training and friendly tournaments and competitions and Harry, who has enjoyed training ahead of the camp with the Newcastle United Foundation, hopes it could lead to him donning an England shirt for competitive matches, which are open to over 16s.
Dad Guy Gibson, 47, said: "When he was lying in hospital he was saying 'I've ruined my life, I can't play football anymore'. But now he's got a new lease of life: it's certainly a different path he's looking at but it's still a fulfilling path.
"It's been difficult for all of us. As parents over the last 12 months we have pushed him really hard and he's gone from being at rock bottom to now, when he couldn't be happier. He's walking a different path, but he knows where he's going."
Getting involved with the EAFA has helped Harry get his life back on track. Not only has he been able to see that sport can still be a part of his life, he's been able to meet and connect with other youngsters who've lost limbs, helping him and his parents find support, connection and community.
Guy added: "It's just amazing for everybody involved. It just changed everything overnight for us.
"In the click of a finger it took Harry from being so down, as soon as he found out he could train and play and even play for England."
Now preparing for the training camp, which takes place in Georgia in July, Harry and his teammates are raising funds to ensure everyone who has been invited is able to take the more than £700 flights. Whilst all training and equipment will be paid for, the youngsters have to pay for their own travel to the camp.
Guy said: "We want to help everybody get over there because the 14 of them have been chosen on ability, some parents can afford to go and some of them can't and it wouldn't be fair if some of them miss out."
Harry is raising money for the training camp flights for himself and his teammates at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpmakeamputeekidssmile
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