Harbury boy cycling 26 miles on specially adapted trike with dad to support good cause

An eight-year-old boy is cycling 26 miles on his specially adapted trike with his dad to help raise money for a good cause.

Freddie Mann from Harbury has been taking on the challenge with his Dad Ollie Mann.

The pair have been cycling to help raise money for Entrust Care Partnership, which is a social enterprise which provides a range of services and support to children and adults with disabilities and additional needs and their families in Warwickshire.

Freddie has special needs so this cause is close to the family's heart,

Aimee Mann, Freddie's mum, said: "Freddie attends a brilliant SEN School and has a wicked sense of humour and loves James Cordon's Carpool Karaoke, Youtube, Basketball, Boccia and cycling.

"He has a wide and varied list of additional needs and disabilities.

"These include a brain injury due to a stroke before birth and an extremely rare de novo (occurring in him for the fist time) genetic condition called TUBA 1A.

"He is one of less than one in a million with this diagnosis.

"This all presents as a severe learning disability, communication difficulties plus developmental verbal dyspraxia, a neurological eyesight condition, suspected absence seizures, anxiety and big behaviour, balance issues, low muscle tone, bowel problems, weakness on his left side due to the stroke and a number of other physical needs.

"He has a professional for almost every area of development including Neurology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language, OT, Bowel, dietician, paediatrician and the list goes on."

The challenge, which started on April 26, was initially for Freddie to cycle 26km on his specialist adapted Theraplay trike, attached to his dad's bike to raise £1,000.

Because of the amount of support they received they decide to increase the challenge.

Aimee said: "Freddie received so much support and he loves getting out on the bike so Ollie decided to increase the goal to 26 miles over the course of a week, in the hope of doubling our target to £2,000.

"After Wednesday morning's cycle, they have reached the 23 mile mark and as of Friday morning we have raised £3,035.

"We would really love to reach £3,300 by the time he completes the 26 miles, to allow us to give Entrust Care Partnership a full £3,000 (after GoFundMe platform fees).

"Freddie absolutely loves being out on the bike and every day has asked if he will be going out.

"We've been showing him all the support on Facebook and the donations coming in.

"Of course, due to his severe learning disability, it's hard to know how much he truly understands but what is clear is that he loves putting on the team t-shirt, loves going out and can't wait to see the photos we post with our updates.

"His younger sister, Bella (7) and younger brother Jago (5) have also been accompanying him on some of the rides to show their support.

"We have been totally overwhelmed by all the support and donations made so far, we never thought it would accelerate like it has.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has supported our fabulous Freddie so far in achieving his goal."

When asked about raising money for Entrust Care Partnership, Aimee said: "Lynne Barton is the director and she works tirelessly, each and every day to support families and children like my son, Freddie.

"Meeting Lynne and the team at Entrust Care Partnership was a game changer for us and has lead to many wonderful things happening in what are very challenging circumstances.

"During this time of uncertainty, raising money for Entrust Care Partnership, who do so much good in the Warwickshire community with some of the most vulnerable children and families, felt like a very positive focus during a very difficult time.

"It has also helped keep our spirits up and the spirits of our other two children."

To donate go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/5hpsy-team-work-makes-the-dream-work