A schoolboy who lost his foot in a collision has been praised for his bravery - and has helped to inspire fundraising efforts for the hospital that helped him.
Harry Gibson, 11, had to have a foot amputated after he was injured in a car collision on Great North Road, in Gosforth, Newcastle, almost a year ago.
He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he was given the heartbreaking news that his right foot would have to be amputated.
The news came as a blow to the family but the courageous youngster quickly vowed to get his life "back to normal" and has now become an inspiration to family and friends.
The youngster, a pupil at Gosforth Central Middle School, plays football for the England Amputee Football Association (EAFA) junior team and swims three times a week. He is also set to join a running club.
Harry, who has a prosthetic foot, is also due to get a special blade which will make running easier for him.
His mum Donna, 33, a trainee social worker, said: "Harry is amazing, he is so positive - he has just carried on and he's such an inspiration to us.
"After he was injured, we were having a bit of a bad time. But when we look at how Harry is and how well he is doing, it feels amazing. He just keeps everyone's spirits up.
"He has never let anything stop him. Once he got up and he was healed, he just started playing out again and going out with his friends."
Harry says his love of football has helped to keep him going. The youngster added: "At the start, I didn't think what happened was great- but now I've accepted it. I feel a lot better about it. I love playing football and I'm excited about getting a new blade."
Inspired by his recovery, his school has raised more than £1,100 through a fantasy football league and donated the money to the Great North Children's Hospital Foundation in Newcastle, where Harry was treated.
Another youngster, Brandon Stobbart, 13, who used to go to Gosforth Central Middle School but now attends Percy Hedley school, was also treated at the hospital. Brandon developed an infection on his brain in October 2020 and doctors at the hospital helped him.
Teacher Rob Leonard said: "We do a lot of charitable work and we were inspired by how both lads have responded to the treatment they have had at the hospital. The Great North Children's Hospital Foundation does an absolutely incredible job and we decided we wanted to donate the funds to them."
Emma McQuitty, fundraising coordinator for Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: "We are really inspired by Harry and his story. He is such a character and he has been absolutely incredible. The funds raised will go such a long way to help the work of the Great North Children's Hospital Foundation. We are really grateful."
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