A blind Bishop’s Stortford schoolboy, who learned to swim by touch, has smashed a fundraising challenge for the town’s food bank.
Ben Hardy, who is just nine, aimed to complete 30 lengths of the pool at Bishop’s Stortford College in an hour, but he added a further 10 to his tally.
His target was to raise £2,000 for the food bank, based at Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church in South Street, but his aquatic exploits have generated £2,595.
His proud mum Liz said: “He was very nervous before, like all children before a sporting event. He hoped to do 30 lengths in an hour but actually managed 40 lengths of the big pool in an hour - while the pool staff played Eye of the Tiger very loudly!
“He was so proud and pleased!”
Best of all, she said, Ben received a donation from a mum whose son was inspired by Ben’s endeavours. The little boy has just had cataract surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and is now aphakic too - which means his eyes have no lenses.
Ben was born with Nance Horan Syndrome. Soon after his birth at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, in 2015, doctors realised he had dense cataracts in both eyes.
Since then brave Ben has been under the care of Addenbrooke’s consultant paediatric ophthalmologist surgeon, Louise Allen, and John Brookes, a glaucoma paediatric consultant and surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London but he is registered as blind and has a Blue Badge.
Liz, who moved to Bishop’s Stortford from South London in 2013 with her husband Chris and Ben’s big sisters Jessica, 14, and Alice, 12, said: “It really is so worthwhile that Ben’s rare condition and all his eye surgery can inspire other local families and bring people together to help each other.”
Ben is also a constant inspiration to his family. Earlier this year, he had to have glaucoma tube surgery at Moorfields to reduce his high eye pressure,
Despite his own challenges, Ben is always ready to help others. He has also completed a sponsored climbing challenge for the food bank.
The youngster who attends Bishop’s Stortford College with his sisters, said: “I’ve been helped by so many amazing people in our local NHS and I really want to help other people in our own community.”
Liz said: “When Ben swims, he does not wear contact lenses or glasses.
“Since he was four, he has had an incredible swimming teacher called Laura Ager. She has taught Ben to swim through touch, listening to her voice and lots of trust.”
Laura was at the poolside waiting to congratulate Ben as he smashed his latest charity challenge.
Liz said: “She has been so kind and skilled in teaching Ben how to swim. They have a very special bond in the water and it is heartwarming to watch Ben become independent at swimming - as well as having a lot of fun with his big sisters, Jess and Alice.”
To sponsor Ben, see https://www.justgiving.com/page/liz-hardy-1715091227874