I'm raising £8,500 for a disability support side-by-side trike.

My son is a bright, funny, determined young teenager with additional needs (Autism, learning disability, speech and language disability, hypermobility and excess weight), and like any young person, he longs for independence, freedom, and the chance to enjoy the outdoors without limits. But right now, something most children take for granted is out of reach for him: riding a bike.

He is unable to coordinate steering or braking independently. When he uses his current bike, an adult must walk beside him at all times, physically steering and braking for him. This means he can only travel short distances, at a very slow pace, and never without full support. He has no sense of danger, so he cannot safely ride alone or be allowed to roam freely outdoors.

At the same time, he is under the care of a weight‑management clinic, who want him to increase his physical activity. He wants to desperately, but he simply cannot exercise safely or effectively without the right equipment.

Recently, he tried a specialist side‑by‑side tandem bike designed for people with additional needs and disabilites. For the first time, he experienced what real freedom feels like. He could pedal confidently, enjoy the speed, feel the wind, and explore further than ever before, all while being safely supported by an adult riding beside him. It was the first time he wasn’t held back by his disabilites.

This bike would give him:

• Independence — the chance to move at a pace that feels exciting and age‑appropriate

• Safety — full adult control of steering and braking

• Exercise — essential for his health and wellbeing

• Dignity — no more being “kept slow” or restricted while outdoors

• Joy — the simple happiness of riding like any other teenager

This bike is not just for his teenage years, it will see him through his adult life too. He will never drive a car, never take the bus alone, this will be his transport through adulthood not just his childhood/teenager years. This is an adult bike.

The only barrier now is cost. These specialist bikes are expensive, and I’m fundraising to give him the equipment he needs to access the world safely and confidently. I have applied to charities and have been rejected.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how small, you’ll be helping give a young person the freedom, independence, and quality of life he deserves. Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting him to live life without limits.

Please share with your friends and family where possible.

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