The boy who grows old five times faster than his friends

THE mother of a boy from West Yorkshire who suffers from a rare condition which means his body ages too fast said today: "He just gets on with life."

Harry Crowther suffers from the genetic disorder atypical progeria syndrome.

His skin has started to thin as the ageing process takes hold and the bones in his fingers and collar bone have begun to erode.

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The 11-year-old is one of only 16 reported cases in the world and his body is ageing five times faster than his friends.

Harry and his mother, Sharon, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, will be among five families from Great Ormond Street Hospital being flown to Majorca for a one-week stay to see the opening of the Pirates Ultimate Adventure, courtesy of First Choice.

Last year the charity premiere raised more than 64,000 towards the Theatres for Theatres appeal at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Money raised is used to help treat children with complex neurological and craniofacial conditions by funding state-of-the-art operating theatres.

Harry's mother added: "The condition doesn't stop Harry - he just gets on with life.

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"Its every boy's dream to be a pirate and Harry is very excited about going away."

The youngster takes pain relief four times a day and does daily exercises to help loosen his stiff and aching joints.

He also has hydrotherapy once a week.

His mother added: "He knows what is going to ache and he knows his body. He knows what is happening to him.

"He knows what activities he can do so he will do them for a short period of time. At the end of the day he is a normal happy little chappy. He just gets on with his life."

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"We are hoping to raise awareness about his condition as there are not many people out there like him."

Harry - who lives with his mother and IT director father John, 41, sister Emma, 16 and 14-year-old brother Jack - was born at Dewsbury District Hospital without any complications.

He was diagnosed at a specialised medical centre in Dallas, US, when he was seven after undergoing tests.