Trike gives girl, 6, a new lease of life

Good cause buys equipment for Wyvern pupil

A young girl with a complex medical condition has been given a specialist tricycle to allow her to enjoy recreational activities with friends.

Ebony Cairney, who lives in Sevington and attends The Wyvern School, is a full-time wheelchair user due to various medical conditions which affect her balance - including cerebral palsy.

The six-year-old relies on the assistance of a walking frame to complete short distances and is unable to ride a standard bicycle - which has often left her as a spectator while her friends cycle outside.

But now Caudwell Children - a national charity which provides support to disabled children and their families - has paid for a specialist tricycle to enable her to play outside.

The good cause funded the £1,200 specialist equipment - which will enable her to enjoy summer activities with a group of school friends.

Mum Amy Cairney says she was unable to pay for the new tricycle for her daughter, who loves being outside in the garden.

“Ebony loves arts and crafts, painting, gluing, and any messy stuff really, but she also loves being outside in the garden,” the 30-year-old said.

“So when I was told about the therapy tricycles, and how they have been designed to aid physical development and rehabilitation, and that they are great for building up the strength in a child’s legs, I immediately thought about getting one for Ebony.

“However, at a cost of almost £1,300 it was way out of my budget but luckily the supplier told me about Caudwell Children and the funding support that it provides.

“Ebony adores the tricycle and we’ve been out on it loads of times already.

“As a result of her condition she is also non-verbal and she’s been signing the word tricycle for weeks - she’s been so excited.”

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Ebony Cairney loves the new trike, which cost £1,200