Army Reserve Colonel doctor gives six-year-old one of his medals to say thank you for his rainbow artwork

A Sunderland youngster’s artwork has been given a seal of approval by an NHS surgeon working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Harry Burlison created a giant rainbow on the driveway of his home in Silksworth after seeing the symbol of hope in windows of his neighbours.

The six-year-old’s efforts were shared on social media by proud parents Gareth and Helen, earning the praise of an Sunderland surgeon.

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Army Reserve Colonel and Sunderland Royal Hospital Consultant Vascular Surgeon Ben Banerjee was so impressed when he saw Harry’s giant artwork that he presented him with one of the medals he was awarded for a deployment working in a hospital in Afghanistan.

Col Ben Banerjee gifted a medal to six-year-old Harry Burlison after seeing his NHS artworkCol Ben Banerjee gifted a medal to six-year-old Harry Burlison after seeing his NHS artwork
Col Ben Banerjee gifted a medal to six-year-old Harry Burlison after seeing his NHS artwork

Mr Banerjee hand-delivered the medal to Harry’s home along with a letter thanking him for his efforts.

In it he said: “It made me feel fantastic, especially as things are quite hard at work at the moment.

“Thank you so much for your work and keep looking after your Mummy and Daddy.”

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Like Mr Banerjee, Harry’s parents are also key workers, working on the frontline of the pandemic in their roles at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Army Reserve Colonel and Sunderland Royal Hospital Consultant Vascular Surgeon Ben Banerjee.Army Reserve Colonel and Sunderland Royal Hospital Consultant Vascular Surgeon Ben Banerjee.
Army Reserve Colonel and Sunderland Royal Hospital Consultant Vascular Surgeon Ben Banerjee.

Harry’s dad, Gareth, is an Orthopaedic Practitioner and mam Helen is a Sister on the day case unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Both of his grandmothers, his uncle and auntie also work for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Dad Gareth said: “Harry understands that his mam and dad have to go to work when some other parents don’t.

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“He’d seen rainbow pictures in windows and wanted to do one of his own.

Harry Burlison with the medal.Harry Burlison with the medal.
Harry Burlison with the medal.

“I did the outline on the drive and he coloured it all in himself with chalks.

“He was amazed when Ben gave him the medal.

“He absolutely loves it and we’re going to frame it, along with the letter, for his bedroom wall.”

Mr Banerjee said: “This little lad produced this massive rainbow and did it virtually all on his own and I thought it was such a magnificent effort that it deserved special acknowledgement.”

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