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Lad won’t tyre of his tricycle

28 August 2007

Joy for nine-year-old who struggled to ride a bike

LITTLE Billy Rooney has a new favourite toy, thanks to the Sunshine Fund. Billy, nine, now has a new source of fun and freedom in this special tricycle.
The youngster, who has Down’s syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, has trouble using a normal bicycle and his parents say the trike represents a new lease of life for him.

Dad Peter, 45, said: “He wasn’t very confident on a bike with stabilisers. It wobbled a bit and he was a bit tense and nervous. “My wife Sally is a physiotherapist and she knew about these trikes and we decided it would be great for him. “Straight away he was handling it fine and off on his own. He loves it. He’s much more confident now.”

The Rooney family, of East Boldon, Sunderland, are keen cyclers and regularly go on jaunts to the coast and surrounding countryside. Earlier this year they even took their bikes abroad for a two-wheeled trip around Holland. Billy joined them, but when it came to cycling he could only travel on a special tandem-style carriage on the back of his dad’s bike. Now he is free to pedal to his heart’s content on trips to the local park with sister Kemi, 17, and brothers Colm, 15, and Dominic, 12.

Peter, a charity worker for people with disabilities, added: “He likes going out with the rest of the family and this has just given him a bit more independence
“He still need to be with someone but it’s a lot more enjoyable for him.”

The Sunshine Fund provides equipment which makes a significant improvement to the lives of children who are either living with a disability or are seriously ill.
It is equipment that is usually not available from normal sources, such as the NHS, because of funding restrictions.

Anyone who would like more information or who would like to donate is asked to call Jo Harris on (0191) 201 6289.


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