Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Peter Craig

Teenage quadruple amputee vows to take family to McDonald's drive-thru in his own car

A student who had part of his arms and lower legs amputated due to meningitis has made an emotional pledge to drive his family in his own car to a McDonald's drive thru.

Harvey Phillips is currently learning to drive in his specially-adapted BMW and chose his own eye-catching, personalised registration plate to show off his sense of humour, Grimsby Live reports.

A big Lincoln City FC fan, his new registration is engraved with "Up the Imps", although he is still a supporter of the Mariners and a friend of Luke Waterfall.

At less than one-year-old Harvey, from Grimsby, contracted meningitis and had to have his lower limbs and part of his arms amputated in emergency surgery.

Harvey is aiming to drive his family in his own car to a McDonald's drive thru (Darren Phillips))

But that has not stopped the brave youngster fulfilling his dreams of representing GB in international swimming events.

The 17-year-old, a sport studies student at Grimsby Franklin College, will take part in the British National Swimming Competition in Sheffield next month.

He is planning to drive there with his family in support.

He is currently taking driving lessons with Louth instructor, Jack Westerby in an adapted BMW.

The sportsman lost both legs and an arm when he was nine months old. (Matthew Power / MASONS)
Harvey Phillips is currently learning to drive in his specially-adapted BMW (Getty Images)

Harvey, who passed his theory test in December, has also made a special pledge to his family.

He said: "As soon as I get my test I will be taking the family to a McDonald's drive-thru.

Harvey, from Louth, also hopes to get the chance to drive on a racing circuit. He had wanted to attend a Moto GP race at Silverstone, but it clashes with a swimming competition this summer.

Harvey joked: "I will probably end up taking mum on a shopping trip."

Harvey also wants to drive on a racing track (Grimsby Telegraph / BPM Media)

His BMW has a cup which bolts on to the steering wheel and levers for acceleration. The indicators are buttons which he presses with ease.

With the push of a button the car can revert to pedal control, so mum Lisa Chappell can drive.

The quadruple amputee will embark on his final year at Franklin College in September and hopes by then to have passed his driving test.

He is waiting to hear what career options he will have and hopes to be involved in sports coaching.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.