Oliver's army is here to get on their bikes and help raise cash
Oliver Taplin cracks a smile for the kind-hearted staff who will kick-off a fundraising mission in his name.
Staff at Haven Children's Centre in Gosport are gearing up for a bike ride with a difference in order to help pay for a lightweight wheelchair for the tot.
They will take it in turns to cycle continuously for five hours around the centre's grounds in a bid to raise some of the money needed to pay for Oliver's chair.
Three year old Oliver has cerebral palsy and can't walk or talk. His parents believe a wheelchair that he can move around himself would really help.
But an ultra-light model isn't available from the NHS and a privately bought chair costs 2,000. Staff at the children's centre have offered to help by holding the sponsored event and parents and children will also buy and sell cakes.
'The NHS only offers a basic wheelchair which is very heavy,' said mum Rachel.
'We want to give Oliver the best opportunity to self-propel in the wheelchair. If I can't lift this chair what chance is he going to have to steer it and move it once he's in it? He's never going to have the strength that another child will have.'
Oliver, from Warsash, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was one. Shortly after he was born the youngster was taken to hospital suffering from a brain clot and had a relapse 12 months later when fluid built up again.
Rachel and husband Daniel have seen him fight on through surgery and setbacks and are amazed at the way he's progressed. Oliver now attends regular sessions at the Haven.
'His personality and his confidence have grown so much,' added Rachel. 'He's gone from being a really traumatised little boy to smiling at anyone.
'He wants to start making choices about where he goes and what he wants to look at. The only way that's going to happen is to give him a wheelchair.'
Anyone interested in making a donation can call Karen McNally at Gallagher Mobility Aids on (023) 8055 7777.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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