TRIBUTES have been paid to Harvey Sherratt Morrison, who has sadly passed away this week just months after getting long-awaited spinal surgery following a brave campaign from his parents.
Little Harvey, nine, became a household name last year as his mam Gillian and dad Stephen took their fight for his care to the Dail in a public campaign for action.
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Harvey Sherratt Morrison became a household name as his mam Gillian and dad Stephen campaigned for action on waiting listsCredit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin
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Harvey sadly passed away this week
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Harvey was left waiting over three years for scoliosis surgeryCredit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin
Harvey was left waiting over three years for scoliosis surgery to the point where the curve in his spine reached 130 degrees.
The youngster’s parents Stephen and Gillian campaigned on behalf of their son and took their fight for care to the Dail as they demanded action.
They were then left furious to find out that their son had actually been removed from the waiting list without them being informed.
The Dublin family shared their story as part of the Irish Sun’s Kids Can’t Wait campaign to help press for real action to end the nightmare waits for children in need of spinal surgeries.
Read more on Little Harvey
After a hard fought campaign by his parents, Harvey finally got his spinal surgery just before Christmas last year with his dad Stephen telling the Irish Sun at the time that he was happy and smiling again after his operation.
The family have now informed people who had supported the campaign for Harvey’s surgery that their son has sadly passed away this week after a very short illness.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Harvey’s mum Gillian said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that myself and Stephen have to announce that our little rockstar Harvey passed away this morning with us by his side.”
Harvey will be laid to rest over the weekend.
In a touching funeral notice, the family said: “In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy. To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world.”
The devastating news has sparked a flurry of tributes to the youngster who was always smiling and joyful when he met the Irish Sun during his parent’s brave campaign for his surgery.
Heartbreaking footage of Harvey Sherratt in pain amid scoliosis surgery wait hell
Amanda Coughlan of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy group has called on people to “rally one last time for Harvey”.
Amanda launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for the family “to give them the time and space they need to grieve”.
She said: “I am creating this fund to offer support to my friends, Gillian and Stephen, after the devastating loss of their beautiful 9-year-old son, Harvey.
“Harvey was a much-loved son to them and a brother to Lyla and Remy. He had spina bifida and was a full-time wheelchair user.
“Harvey became a household name due to his parents’ relentless fight in the media to secure timely access to medical care for him.
“He waited over three years for scoliosis surgery, and by the time of the surgery at the end of 2024, his curvature had reached 130 degrees.”
Details of how to donate to the GoFundMe campaign are available on the fundraising website under the Harvey (Sherratt) Morrison campaign.
Our Kids Can’t Wait Campaign
WAITING lists in Ireland have long been a national disgrace.
More than 106,000 children are on hospital waiting lists for all treatments. However, a new source of shame has emerged as 327 children wait for life changing spinal surgeries.
Their conditions are getting worse while they languish on waiting lists.
Such are the delays, many child patients will be outside the therapeutic window when their treatments are approved.
Earlier this month, the Seanad heard how at least one child has become permanently paralysed since the issue was raised publicly before Christmas.
Their plight has been spearheaded by campaigning Senator Tom Clonan, who himself has a child with a disability.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has even admitted that the health service is failing these kids.
Children are being allowed to deteriorate due to mismanagement, which has allowed the waiting lists to grow.
The Irish Sun’s Kids Can’t Wait campaign aims to shine a light on how the State is failing sick children and give their families a voice.
It will also force the Government to do something to clear the backlog of operations and give these children a chance of living a normal life.