Help the dream of a wheely good time

 

Tia Hunt (3) who has Diplegia Cerebral Palsy dreams of riding a bike like her twin sister Mia and her other siblings, Jordan (13), Callum (11), Taylor (11) and Dylan (4).

 

Born at 31 weeks, Tia can’t ride a generic bike due to her condition and so national charity Caudwell Children are hoping to raise £1,250 for a specialist tricycle adapted to suit Tia’s needs and help make her dream come true.

 

The specialist tricycle will also help provide vital physiotherapy for Tia’s condition, which causes delayed muscle growth, stiff joints, lack of co-ordination and balance. It means riding a normal bike is impossible for Tia and her parents hope it will encourage Tia to use her legs more in a way she can enjoy.

 

Mum, Larinna Penman from Harlow, said “To be able to give Tia a bike will make her so happy and be overwhelming for all of us.

 

At the minute it’s something she can’t do and it frustrates her, she wants to do everything she sees other children doing.”

 

The specially adapted Carousel Tricycle is designed for children with Cerebral Palsy and modified to meet their individual needs depending on the severity of the condition. Each tricycle helps the child to gain vital physiotherapy in a fun and unique way due to the adaptations that are made. Due to the specialist nature of the tricycles, they can cost up to ten times more than a normal child’s bicycle and therefore well out of financial reach for many families.

Miss Penman added “The other children often choose not to do things because they don’t want to leave Tia out. It will be great for them to be able to all do something together which they will love and enjoy.”

 

Caudwell Children provide direct donations of treatment, therapy and equipment for sick and disabled children throughout the UK. Vital fundraising takes place throughout the year to provide youngsters like Tia with life changing equipment.

 

Trudi Beswick is the CEO of Caudwell Children, she said: “We are now eager to help make Tia’s dream come true by providing her with a piece of equipment which promotes social inclusion, helps build confidence and aids physiotherapy, but it comes at a high cost for families.

 

 A tricycle such as this costs over £1,250 and any help is gratefully received and should we raise over the required amount the funds will be used to support another donation for a similar sick or disabled child.”

 

Tia was diagnosed with the condition before her 1^st Birthday. Miss Penman commented “Before we had Tia we would give money and things to charity but you just often don’t realize the full importance of having charities like Caudwell Children. Without their support getting something like a specialist tricycle would be out of the question for Tia and something she would miss out on due to her condition.”

 Anybody wishing to help raise funds for Tia’s appeal are urged to contact the Charity immediately on 01782 600844 or visit http://www.justgiving.com/TiaLouisa

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you!