How a 'wee hand' could make a 'big difference' for one boy
The family of a Ballynahinch boy who was born without a hand have said they are determined to get him a bionic arm.
Alfie Hunter was promised the device for his birthday in May and was even fitted with his very own device.
His dreams were crushed however when his parents realised that the hand cost nearly twice what they had originally expected.
Despite the setback, Alfie's parents are set on getting the life-altering technology for their child.
Missing a hand hasn't held the eight-year-old back though.
Alfie says he loves taking part in different sports at school, but none more so than football.
He said: "I really can't do sports with my hands, so I just play that because you have to use your feet."
Alfie also told UTV how he recently learned to ride a bike with just one hand, adding: "I just have to grab it with this hand and set that hand on."
His mother Laverne said Alfie hates asking anyone for help.
She is determined to give her son the bionic arm he was promised as a means of giving Alfie more independence.
Laverne told UTV how she thought they had enough money, but hadn't realised there would be additional costs.
She said: "It was €23,000, but half of that is for just maintenance for five years."
Alfie has plenty of friends at school who support and defend him if anyone makes fun of his hand.
He told UTV how a child mocked his disability on a school trip.
"There was one girl who came over to me once and said: 'Ha-ha, you have one hand' and then ran away ... I just felt sad that someone said that."
The family say the bionic arm would be a huge boost to his confidence.
Laverne said: "This wee hand could make a big difference."
Video report by Eden Wilson
For more information, visit Alfie's GoFundMe site