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Sunshine Fund Helps Get Cerebal Palsy Girl On The Move

12 January 2010

Maisie's an easy rider on her new tricycle

There is no stopping little Maisie Dobson now. Getting a new bicycle is exciting for any child, but for three-year-old Maisie, who suffers from cerebral palsy, her pink trike is set to give her a new lease of life.

Her condition means she has difficulty moving some of her muscles and joints and the youngster struggles with her balance. Now, instead of watching other children cycle around the estate, Maisie can have fun while exercising, which will help improve her co-ordination, strength and flexibility.

Mum-of-two Lisa said: “Maisie can get out and about now like other children, which is fantastic. She enjoys an activity that she was never able to do before and it means a lot to her.

“When we took Maisie to try out bikes, she liked the pink and girly one. We were given a picture and it stayed on the fridge until she had it.”

Maisie’s new tricycle was donated by the Chronicle’s Sunshine fund following an application for help from the County Durham Child Development Centre, which was supported by Villa Real School in Stanley.

Thirty-year-old Lisa, of Ponthead Mews, Leadgate, Consett, said: “She absolutely loves the trike and we are so grateful to the Sunshine Fund.

“It would have taken us a lot longer to provide a trike, even though it was something she was ready for.” The Sunshine Fund exists to help improve the lives of sick, disabled and underprivileged children in the North East.

Thousands of Chronicle readers each year raise cash for the charity by taking part in events such as Sunshine Fund Santa Run, Triathlon and Fun Run.

Jo Harris, the fund’s manager, says the trike should help Maisie to make the most of her life.

She said: “The Sunshine Fund loves to give disabled children the opportunity to take part in everyday activities, like playing or riding a bike with other children.

“It is clear that Maisie is not the only beneficiary in this case. The whole family can take heart from the equipment provided by the grant.”

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