Fratton family can order trike thanks to £2,000 donation

FORMER Pompey player Steve Claridge and business partner Matthew Mason have handed over a cheque of £2,000 to Alyssa-Mae England.
From left, Alyssa's dad, Colin England, Alyssa-Mae, Steve Claridge and Matthew Mason

Picture: Shipu (170174-447)From left, Alyssa's dad, Colin England, Alyssa-Mae, Steve Claridge and Matthew Mason

Picture: Shipu (170174-447)
From left, Alyssa's dad, Colin England, Alyssa-Mae, Steve Claridge and Matthew Mason Picture: Shipu (170174-447)

Steve and Matthew decided to give the eight-year-old the cash needed to buy a specialised trike.

Alyssa and her parents Zoe and Colin met the businessmen yesterday at their base in North End to receive the money.

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Now, the custom-made trike can be ordered and built to fit Alyssa so she can play safely outside with her sisters.

Steve, who owns Inspire and Educate, said: ‘When I saw Alyssa’s story I was inspired to help her.

‘I was going to give her some money and then Matthew got in touch to say he wanted to give the full £2,000 needed for the trike so we decided to split it.

‘We just wanted to help her any way we could and give something back to the community. Now we are joining businesses, we want to do more to help.’

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Matthew added: ‘I found Alyssa’s story really moving. I just wanted to help.’

Zoe said: ‘We are really thankful to everyone who’s donated and now we have this £2,000 we can order the trike.

‘It is specially built for Alyssa with straps for her feet and a harness as well as a parent handle so we can steer. She can still turn the pedals but we can steer where she’s going.

‘The money raised will improve her everyday life.’

As previously reported in The News Alyssa, from Fratton, suffers from unbalanced translocation which means some of her chromosomes have swapped but unequally.

In Alyssa’s case, she is missing one of her chromosomes.

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The genetic condition has brought other health problems for Alyssa, who also has congenital heart disease, epilepsy and multiple urinary infections.

She is thought to be the only girl in the world suffering with the condition.

Because of her conditions, she cannot ride a normal bike and needs a specialised car seat to fit her size.

Alyssa also needs clothes which she cannot remove herself, like all-in-one suits, but they can be expensive for children her age.

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