Pennies for the guy will aid children’s charity

A children’s nursery is asking businesses to make a Guy Fawkes for a competition to raise money for a charity that helps youngsters with lower limb problems.

The manager of Serendipitys Nursery, Newark, Anna Morris, said they wanted to bring the Newark community together for the project, and at the same time raise money for STEPS.

The charity has helped the family of one of their children, Henry Ferris, who was born with talipes, commonly known as club foot.

His mother, Kirsty Davison, of Newark, said the problem was identified when she went for her first scan.

She had scans throughout her pregnancy to ensure Henry, now 3, had no other conditions associated with talipes.

Henry’s parents were assured he was going to be fine, but would need a treatment known as Ponseti technique.

When he was five days old Henry was put in a full-length plaster cast on his right leg that was changed weekly for six weeks.

He then had a tenotomy, which involved cutting through the Achilles tendon.

He had another plaster cast for three weeks and wore a leg brace 23 hours a day for four months.

He now wears the leg brace every night and will continue to wear it until he is four or five.

His mother said staff at the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, had provided them with a lot of support.

But, she said, they were grateful for the support from the STEPS charity once they were home.

“Only one in 1,000 children is born with talipes so it is not an everyday event,” she said.

“STEPS allows parents to connect with each other and provide the support that is necessary during those difficult times.”

Kirsty said they followed their consultant’s advice, which had not always been easy, but had paid off and Henry had made good progress.

“Henry can run, walk, skip and jump as good as any other three-year-old,” she said. “He is absolutely amazing.”

Businesses are being asked to design a guy to reflect what their company does.

They should be taken to the nursery on Appletongate, Newark, before October 31, along with a £5 entry fee.

The nursery has already received donations for a luxury office hamper that will be presented to the winners.

The best guy will be taken to Newark Rugby Club to be used for its Bonfire Night celebrations on November 5.