A seven-year-old boy, from Skipton in Yorkshire, lost all four limbs after contracting meningitis.
Luke Mortimer underwent 23 operations in Sheffield Children’s Hospital and is finally back home after spending five months in the hospital.
Luke was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis on December 13 last year and was taken to Airedale Hospital.
However, he was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.
He was on a ventilator and dialysis machine at the hospital and underwent 23 operations and had his arms and legs amputated.
His parents Christine and Adam and older brother Harry have now welcomed Luke back to their home who returned after spending five months in the hospital.
Luke played at Skipton RUF and family, friends, and colleagues at Skipton RUF have raised more than £126,000 to help the family pay the medical bills and take better care of Luke.
Skipton coach and referee Brian Brocksom said: “At first we just wanted to raise £1,000 but it’s fair to say it’s gone better than that.”
“Lots of local businesses within Skipton raised funds and every school within 25 miles did cake stalls and raised funds, with one raising £3,000.”
Professional rugby players, managers, and coaches also helped raise the money and sent messages to Luke to show their support when he was in the hospital.
A rugby match at Skipton RUFC raised £16,000 and all the money raised for the Mortimer family will help them modify their home for Luke’s disabilities.
Luke is back home now and will now undergo physiotherapy that will help him to stand and walk again.
His parents are also planning to fit him with prosthetic limbs.
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