TWO determined young children are tackling a sponsored walk/bike ride in a bid to raise funds for a new powered wheelchair.
Layla Kinder, 5, has cerebral palsy which affects her mobility so she relies on using a wheelchair to get around and carry out day-to-day tasks.
Her parents – Gemma Butler and Emma Baxter – are fundraising for a powered wheelchair and need to raise just short of £5,000.
So Layla’s friend Thomas Schofield came up with the idea of the young pair walking or riding one mile to raise some of the money needed.
Thomas, 8, will be walking the distance rather than using his wheelchair while Layla, who attends Silver Springs Primary Academy, will be riding her specially adapted bike.
Gemma, from Stalybridge, said: “One mile to us is not that far but for a child with cerebral palsy, it is a massive achievement.
“Layla can’t walk or run, she crawls to around so this wheelchair will allow her to get about more easily and would make a massive difference to her.
“We had an assessment for a powered wheelchair but unfortunately got denied on the grounds that our house is too small.
“We were told that we would have to fund a powered wheelchair ourselves, and the cost is just short of £5,000.”
Layla and Thomas will take on their challenge on Sunday, October 17, setting off at 2pm on Mossley Road and heading down to the Believe and Achieve Trust base on Sugden Street.
They will be supported by the trust’s mascot and trustees along with way, as well as family and friends, and the Civic Mayor of Tameside will congratulate them at the finish line.
Gemma praised the help and support Layla has had already from the Believe and Achieve Trust, which provides sports and dance activities for children with disabilities.
She explained: “Last year we were fundraising for the adapted bike for Layla to use at school so she can join in things like cycling with the other children.
“They have done so much for Layla and have been amazing. It’s magical to be able to see her doing activities and sports like other children.
“They enable the children to so sports like boxing, rounders, tennis and football. It helps them lead a normal life and do things other children can do.”
To support Layla and Thomas, you can donate by text TOMLAY plus your amount to 70085 (maximum £20 donation by text)