Hockey boy is raring to go after legs operation (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Hockey boy is raring to go after legs operation

Harry Ward in his Wootton Bassett hockey kit (17194/1/PM)Nine-year-old Harry Ward has ditched his wheelchair, cast and crutches to wield his hockey stick for Wootton Bassett once again.

In December sports mad Harry, of Bardsey Close, had a gruelling operation to correct his feet, which turned inwards and his legs, which turned outwards.

Doctors at the Great Western Hospital had to break both his legs at the ankles and rotate his legs through 40 degrees. His realigned bones were then secured with metal plates and his heels fixed with pins.

Throughout his recovery period the Noremarsh Junior School pupil had always set his sights on being fit in time for the hockey season. And this weekend he'll meet that goal when he strides out to play for the town's Under-11 side.

Harry said: "I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully I'll be as good as I was before my operation. I'll probably still stay in defence but I might go up field a bit as well."

Before his operation Harry was slow at running and prone to tripping up but all that has now changed.

He said: "Running is really easy now and it's really good not being in my wheelchair anymore."

Harry's mum, Julie, 31, said: "It's been a hard year and it won't be one that I look back on and laugh at.

"But to look at him now he's so different from how he was. He's much more confident and it's great to see him out and about again."

Harry is also a mad keen Swindon Town fan and shortly after his operation last Christmas the Gazette organised a surprise visit to his house by star striker Sam Parkin to help cheer him up.

During his recuperation Harry had to take it slowly but that did not stop him visiting his team mates at Wootton Bassett hockey club while still on crutches.

He also did regular exercises to strengthen his muscles and that enabled him to reach his target of being up and running for the start of the hockey season in September.

Mrs Ward, who has two other children, Ben, five, and Kate, one, said: "That is definitely the aim. He loves his hockey and is desperate to get back into it."