Sunbury four-year-old Harry Payne has been a regular visitor at
the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The Royal Children's
Hospital since he was born with an extremely rare brain
disorder.
Almost 200 people turned out to the Where the Wild Things Are
Christmas Fair to raise money for the Murdoch Childrens Research
Institute.
The fundraiser was held for Sunbury youngster Harry Payne, who
suffers from a rare brain disorder that affects his growth and
development.
Families enjoyed entertainment and children's activities in the
beautiful gardens of Drusilla, Mt Macedon, raising $25,000 for a
new research program to investigate disorders of early brain
development.
Known as Microcephaly with Simplified Gyri Patterns, the
condition affects Harry's growth and development.
While Harry has impressed doctors with his progress, much is
still unknown about conditions affecting early brain
development.
Mum Fiona Handbury is holding a fundraising event in November to
raise money for a new clinical research program at Murdoch
Childrens to investigate disorders of early brain development like
Harry's.
The program will examine the causes and treatment of these
conditions and establish a clinical program for affected children
including diagnosis, genetic testing and supportive care.
It will also provide accurate information and education on these
conditions for both parents and health care providers.
"Funding is urgently needed to help improve our understanding of
early brain development," Fiona said.
"We are thankful that Harry has developed into such a happy and
healthy boy, but our journey would have been less traumatic had
there been more information available and more research into
conditions such as Harry's."
*Photo: Courtesy of the Herald Sun.