Seven-year-old Skipton meningitis survivor returns home after having four amputations

Luke Mortimer had been in Sheffield Children's Hospital since the middle of December, and has undergone 23 operations, including the amputation of his legs and hands.

His recovery has been complicated by the coronavirus restrictions, which meant at one point his father Adam, a coach at Skipton RUFC, could not visit him when he developed symptoms of Covid-19 and had to isolate at home.

Now Adam, his wife Christine and their elder son Harry, 11, have welcomed rugby-mad Luke back to their Skipton home. He will now undergo physiotherapy to help him to stand and walk again. It is hoped that he will eventually have prosthetic limbs fitted.

Family and friends raised over £126,000 for the Mortimers through a Justgiving appeal to enable them to adapt their home for Luke's disabilities and buy specialist medical equipment. The money has also covered expenses while Adam, a self-employed builder, has been unable to work while caring for Luke.

A fundraising rugby match at Skipton RUFC generated £16,000 but several other planned events have had to be postponed during the lockdown.

Luke fell ill on December 13 and was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, the most dangerous strain of the disease. It has a fatality rate of up to 20 per cent and can often lead to sepsis. Survivors may suffer lasting long-term effects and many have to have limbs amputated due to gangrene caused by blood poisoning.

He was initially taken to Airedale Hospital but was transferred to Sheffield by the Embrace team, a mobile ambulance unit who transport seriously ill children across Yorkshire.

Luke was placed in an induced coma and was dependent on a ventilator and dialysis machine.

Skipton coach and referee Brian Brocksom, who set up the club's ladies' team with Adam, has been leading the fundraising effort.

"At first, we thought a £5,000 target was too much, but every six hours we keep upping it - we had nearly £30,000 in two days," said Brian, a retired police officer who has been associated with the club for 15 years.

"There has been enormous support for the appeal. The ball started rolling more quickly than I ever imagined and I have been overwhelmed.

"The rugby community is very generous in times like this. I've never fundraised before, but as a police officer I have dealt with families who have been through trauma and I see myself as having a job to do. Their life has been turned upside down. Hopefully the money will mean Luke can go home to a safe and enjoyable environment.

"Luke and Harry have grown up at the club, as Adam and Christine have been involved for years before they were born. They've been coming here since they were babies and the family are part of the make-up of the club."

Rugby clubs across the country held collections for Luke and big names from the sport including international referee Nigel Owens pledged their support.

The England women's sevens team also sent a video message to Luke from New Zealand when they were competing in the World Sevens Series.