Who needs the Daleks as TV star helps brave Harrison

The family of a brave 11-year-old schoolboy have called in someone special to boost his fight to beat Covid-19 - Doctor Who.
Harrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tourHarrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tour
Harrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tour

Harrison Burr lives with dad Simon, mum Hayley and younger brother Mikey in Tattershall.

Along with his mum and dad, Harrison caught Covid last November.

While mum made a pretty quick recovery, Harrison and his dad have been fighting off the life-threatening virus ever since.

Harrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tourHarrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tour
Harrison with brother Mikey and parents Simon and Hayley on a previous Doctor Who tour

Harrison is a big fan of Doctor Who and has previously appeared on BBC Radio Lincolnshire programmes.

Knowing his birthday was coming up - and he was really struggling with Covid - staff from the station contacted the Burr family to see if there was anything he wanted.

The result was a personal video message from current Doctor Who star - actress Jodie Whittaker.

Dad Simon explained: “It was absolutely brilliant.

Dr Who star Jodie Whittaker whose video message has boosted Harrison during his battle with Covid-19Dr Who star Jodie Whittaker whose video message has boosted Harrison during his battle with Covid-19
Dr Who star Jodie Whittaker whose video message has boosted Harrison during his battle with Covid-19

“You should have seen the look on Harrison’s face when he watched the video

“He couldn’t believe it and I’ve lost count of the times he’s watched it now!

“We can’t thank Jodie and the BBC enough for what they have done.

“It’s made one very poorly young boy very happy.”

Simon admits it has been a nightmare time for the family since the trio went down with Covid.

He added: “His mum managed to recover quite quickly, but Harrison and myself have really struggled.

“I’m still off work and Harrison is back in bed at the moment, coughing.

“He’s on antibiotics but he just can’t seem to shake it off.

“It’s a horrible, horrible thing.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”

Simon revealed he is angry at people who even deny Covid exists.

He said: “I’m arguing with these idiots every day on social media.

“What they are saying is complete twaddle.

“I tell them they should sit there all night with a ten-year-old boy when you are both in tears because you are struggling to breathe.

“We’ve gone through it.

“We’ve had loads of sleepless nights.

“Harrison is very brave, but no child should have to go through what he’s been through.

“He’s been really, really ill and it looks like we will have to go back to the doctor because the antibiotics don’t seem to be working.

“I just wish he was better.

“At the same time, you’ve got these people saying Covid doesn’t exist - or it doesn’t affect kids. It’s complete and utter rubbish.”

Harrison attends Holy Trinity School in Tattershall and is managing some lessons at home.

Simon, who is a home delivery driver for Sainsbury’s, added: “There have been days when he’s not been able to do anything, but the school has been really understanding.

“So have my employers and the fact I’m off work means I can help look after Harrison.”

BBC Lincolnshire’s Jessica Lord said they were delighted to be able to help Harrison with the Dr Who request.

She explained: “He appeared on a couple of our programmes and Carla (presenter Carla Green) got on really well with him.

“We kept in touch with him and knew he’d got Covid really badly.

“With his birthday coming up, we asked the family if there was anything we could do and when they said he was a big Doctor Who fan we decided to get in touch with Jodie.

“When she heard Harrison’s story, she was only too pleased to help out. She sent the video and it was great to see Harrison’s reaction.”

Meanwhile, Harrison and his dad are binge watching all episodes of Doctor Who.

His favourite doctor was Matt Smith, but you don’t need to ask who is No1 now!

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