Unusual illness which means this cheeky little Sunderland boy cannot eat or drink a single thing

A Sunderland tot has been in hospital a number of times due to an illness which means he cannot eat or drink.
Kimberly and Luke Duddin with son Harley, 2, who is nil by mouthKimberly and Luke Duddin with son Harley, 2, who is nil by mouth
Kimberly and Luke Duddin with son Harley, 2, who is nil by mouth

In the first year of little Harley Duddin’s life he was rushed in and out of hospital with numerous infections and even suffered from pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Devoted mum, Kimberley Duddin, recalls the terrifying moments they had to call for an ambulance when their little one suddenly stopped breathing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At four months old, Harley was diagnosed with silent aspiration – which means all the food and drink he eats goes to his lungs.

Harley is fed directly into his stomach.Harley is fed directly into his stomach.
Harley is fed directly into his stomach.

“Because he silent aspirates he wasn’t chocking or anything but he was drowning himself,” said Kimberley, 30. “It was horrible we had to keep phoning for an ambulance all the time, he would stop breathing.”

Now the ‘funny and mischievous’ two-year-old, who has also been diagnosed with dysphasia and sleep apnea, has inspired a special Christmas toy appeal.

Harley, who is nil by mouth, is scheduled to have a double operation next week, and although the family hope the youngster will only be in hospital for a few days, they were inspired to ensure children like Harley, who are in hospital over the festive period, don’t miss out on a Christmas treat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kimberley, and husband Luke, 28, decided to set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds to buy toys for children who are nil by mouth and will miss out on the chocolate selection box appeals.

Harley Duddin playing with his favourite toysHarley Duddin playing with his favourite toys
Harley Duddin playing with his favourite toys

Kimberley said: “Looking at Harley you wouldn’t think anything is wrong. He has a peg in his stomach, so he just looks like your average little boy – I think that’s the hardest part.

“When we go to the hairdressers he’s offered a lolly which he can't have, he couldn’t take part in Halloween. Easter and Christmas are always really hard – he’s so young he doesn’t understand why he can’t eat, he’s always trying to eat anything.

“On Halloween he was just upset the whole night. We were trying to comfort him but he kept pushing us away because he doesn’t understand we’re doing it to keep him safe – he just thinks we’re being mean.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s heartbreaking to know Harley would be one of the children who could not be involved in the selection box donation if he was in hospital at that time.

Kimberley and Luke with children Teign, 10, Te'Arnie, 6 and with Harley, 2.Kimberley and Luke with children Teign, 10, Te'Arnie, 6 and with Harley, 2.
Kimberley and Luke with children Teign, 10, Te'Arnie, 6 and with Harley, 2.

“I know the feeling being the mam of a nil by mouth child, he’s been left out of a lot of things. It’s upsetting for them but it’s hard for us too because there’s nothing we can do.”

Kimberley says his sisters, Teigan, 10, Te'Arnie, six, are great with the youngster and never eat in front of him because Harley is just too young to understand why he can’t eat too.

After setting up the online fundraiser just three days ago, more than £200 has already been donated towards the £250 target – which the Plains Farm family will put towards buying gifts for children in hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The family will be handing out presents to children at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary when Harley goes in for his operation.

Harley Duddin, 2 who is nil by mouth with sisters Teign, 10 and Te'Arnie, 6Harley Duddin, 2 who is nil by mouth with sisters Teign, 10 and Te'Arnie, 6
Harley Duddin, 2 who is nil by mouth with sisters Teign, 10 and Te'Arnie, 6

But they will also be hosting a walkabout at Sunderland Royal Hospital to hand out presents in December – and they will be accompanied by some of the casts from Billingham Forum’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Kimberley added: “I’m over the moon with the amount raised so far. I don’t think there’s a lot of awareness for nil by mouth so this is a great way to spread the word too.

“We called it Harley’s Toy Appeal for nil by mouth children because he’s inspired us and we want to raise awareness in his name.”

To donate to the fundraising appeal click here.