News

Tandems are twice the fun

15 January 2008

Pupils get new bikes with Sunshine Fund cash

These youngsters are pedaling like mad after receiving a helping hand from the Sunshine Fund. Pupils from Hilltop School in Leam Lane, Gateshead, suffer from moderate to severe learning disabilities.

As some of the pupils have severe autism they struggle to understand the concept of danger so they have been given tandem bikes so staff can ride with them.
Teacher Louise Coulson said: “They have been enjoying the bikes a lot but we have not been able to get out of them as much as we would want because of the weather. “They are ideal as the group we have are teenage boys and girls but they have little sense of danger and find it hard to communicate. “But the tandem bikes mean they can get out and enjoy themselves safely. A member of staff rides with them so we can ensure their safety while they enjoy the exercise and fresh air.

“We would like to get another bike for a boy who is a wheelchair user. You can get a bike where a member of staff can ride behind as it has a bucket seat in the front.”

The tandem bikes will also be used by the Adventurer’s Club. Mr Thompson who runs the club said: “It is open to everyone in the school and they do various activities and go on educational visits to. “It will give the children the chance to get out on the bikes after school hours, which is really beneficial as it gives them some freedom.”

The Chronicle’s charity, the Sunshine Fund, provides equipment that makes a significant improvement to the lives of children either living with a disability or who are seriously ill. It is normally equipment that is unavailable from sources such as the NHS because of the expense. Fundraising takes place all year round for the Sunshine Fund to help as many children as possible.

Sunshine Fund manager Jo Harris said: “We were delighted to help these pupils with the play equipment and are really pleased with how much they enjoy it.
“When we receive an application for equipment like this we have to look at each individual case very carefully and we were pleased when we found we could help out.”

The Sunshine Fund was established in 1928 by George V during a visit to Tyneside. To commemorate the opening of the Tyne Bridge he made a small donation to give children a day out at the coast. The Evening Chronicle adopted the fund. In 1995 it was granted charitable status when the Chronicle joined forces with the Community Foundation.


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