Gift changes young boy's life

4:03pm Thursday 21st October 2004

The gift of a lifetime has been awarded to a nine-year old Epping boy who suffers from a developmental illness, thanks to Essex-based charity Kids In Need and Northwood Pharmacy, Epping.

CHARLES Turrell, of James Street, is enjoying a new-found freedom since the Kids In Need charity granted his family's wish for a £1,000 Tomcat Trike, a bike specially adapted for children with severe learning difficulties.

Charles can only communicate on a basic level through Macaton sign language, has difficulty walking and undergoes daily therapy to help his muscles work.

His mother Carol said: "It's a very special gift. His school physiotherapist said he should cycle to build up his leg muscles but he can't use a normal bike. We heard about Kids In Need through Joy Neville at Northwood Pharmacy. We really didn't expect to get the Tomcat Trike."

The sturdy three-wheeler has a subtle back support with waist strap and wider pedals with foot straps and can be steered by a carer from behind.

Mrs Turrell said: "He was beginning to get shut indoors and his world is quite isolated, but now he's got the bike we can walk him round Epping and talk to people as we go. It has really broken the barriers down. The other kids think it's a cool bike and approach him more than if he was in his wheelchair."

She added: "When he's in the wheelchair he just sits there but on the bike he looks around, he seems more alive and he knows that if he rings his bell, people move out of his way; the bell does his talking for him. This is the first thing he's had that's just his, it's really important to him."

Kids In Need was founded in 1982 and aims to grant the wishes of terminally ill, multi-disabled or severely handicapped children aged three to 19.

Wishes range from days out to the zoo or theme parks to meetings with celebrities. Applications are received from across the country.

So far this year 71 wishes have been granted and seven major fundraising events held, while patron Rene Zagger (PC Nick Klein in The Bill) publicises the good work.

Joy Neville and her partner Melvin Forman have run Northwood Pharmacy for ten years and been involved with Kids In Need for seven years.

Mrs Neville said: "I've known the family for a long while and asked if there's anything the charity could do. They did all the research themselves and came to us with the trike, which we gave to Charles on his ninth birthday in August. It's so satisfying seeing Charles with his bike, that's what makes the charity worthwhile."

The registered charity is run by a group of friends who meet at each others' homes, which negates overhead costs and ensures every penny raised directly contributes to making a child's wish come true.

Charles' grandmother, Barbara Scruton, said: "It's a good job there are people like that around. If it wasn't for Joy we wouldn't have known about Kids In Need. This is an example of how small businesses used to be, where they're at the heart of the community."

Although Charles' progress is slow, he has made tremendous strides since the prognosis at birth that he would not be able to sit up, yet alone stand and operate (with help from mum) a trike.

He is enrolled on the BIBIC (British Institute for Brain Injured Children) programme and attends Bentfield Primary School, Stansted, an inclusive school, with his sisters Sophie, seven, and Julie, four. He has benefited from support from members of St John's Church, Epping and enjoys horseriding at the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs.

Mrs Turrell added: "Charles' life is different but these children just need a little extra help to progress.

"I'm grateful i've got him, he's a special gift to me."

lTo nominate a child, volunteer or make a donation, ring Kids In Need on 01277 225110. For BIBIC, ring 01278 684060.