Hull-born student Harriet Lazenby, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, has been given a new wheelchair by charity Men In Charitable Endeavour to help her get around university
Harriet Lazenby with Mark Kelly and John Lazenby from Men In Charitable Endeavour and her new wheelchair(Image: Submitted)
A rodent-themed charitable organisation has donated a much-needed wheelchair for a young woman struggling with day to day life at university due to a painful medical condition. Hull-born student Harriet Lazenby has been living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome since she was 11.
The condition affects connective nerve tissue, resulting in “flare ups”, which leaves Harriet unable to walk without help. Now 23, Harriet has been having flare ups for the last 12 years. But this has not stopped her following her dream of studying music at BIMM University in Birmingham. Thanks to Hull-based charity Men In Charitable Endeavour, or MICE, Harriet is enjoying some freedom on campus with a new light-weight wheelchair she can use during her tougher days.
John Lazenby, who is MICE’s treasurer – or “Keeper of the Cheese” – is also Harriet’s uncle. He said: “She’s got such a big spirit, she’s always got a smile on her face and she doesn’t want it to beat her. We all just smile with her. The condition has slowly gotten worse. From being seven or eight she’s always struggled and had pains in her legs. She’s not had an easy childhood, when her friends were going to dance class, she couldn’t do that. But she’s got a beautiful voice, when she sings she can do that anywhere. Sometimes she can only walk 10 paces and that’s it. Getting from her digs to lectures is hell. She’s struggled from a very young age.”
The men raise funds by singing around the city, mainly in care homes and by putting on concerts. At the end of each financial year, they make donations to charities. Throughout the year, there is usually enough cash leftover to help others. This year’s designated “Top Mouse” Mark Hogben heard Harriet’s struggles and wanted to do something to help.
John said: “I was asking the group on behalf of my niece and told them she’s struggling at university, and is there any chance we could do something to help her. Their response was ‘how much do you need?’, and they said get it ordered. It nearly brought me to tears. When I told her, she turned and said ‘you’ve made my life so much easier’. She’s always struggled as she’s gone through school but she’s tried to carry on and she wanted to go to university. Her mobility at uni is nigh on impossible because she’s so tired, and she can’t move about.
“It never seems fair when it’s someone younger than yourself. It just hurts. We just try and help, make some money, do some singing, hopefully they donate. The people of Hull are very generous.” Harriet is now able to travel between lectures with her new wheelchair, which is light enough to fold into the back of her car.
The MICE was formed 65 years ago by local entertainers who wanted to help out those who could not always help themselves. Over the years almost half a million pounds has been raised for local charities and good causes. Each year the group selects a “king” and “prince” who pick the two charities that will benefit from the fundraising. The group raises funds by entertaining and singing, by holding concerts and raffles. A few years ago, they even did a naked calendar. John said: “Whatever we earn, we give away. You do it for the love of it.”
Find them on Facebook : www.facebook.com/SocietyMICE1 or search The Society of MICE. To contact the society email: thesocietyofmice@gmail.com
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