Cash from Co-op will help disabled Barry youngsters get on their bikes (From Barry And District News)

Cash from Co-op will help disabled Barry youngsters get on their bikes

2:23pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Chris Seal

DISABLED Barry youngsters will be able to cycle thanks to a donation of £1,500 from the Co-operative fund.

The money will help Barry's Intersensory Club buy three new TomCat Trycycles so that children with a range of physical disabilities and learning difficulties can experience cycling.

The group received the cash boost from The Co-operative’s Community Fund, a pot of money accumulated by member customers opting to donate all or part of their annual dividend to good causes in the area. The money is distributed by The Co-operative’s local area committees.

Cliff Hayes, who set up the Intersensory Club five years ago, said: "The TomCat Trikes are very special trikes for very special kids. They are designed for children with more severe physical or learning difficulties and/or visual impairment. The trikes can accommodate a child with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, with severe learning disabilities, who need full trunk support and find it difficult to hold their head up unaided. The trike has a carer control for steering and braking keeping the cyclist safe at all times."

He added: "Funding is becoming ever harder to secure, therefore we were delighted to hear that we were successful in securing this grant from The Co-operative. The cash has made a huge difference to our group, and it means all the more knowing that the money has been donated by local people."

Brian Rees, Chair of the South Wales Area Committee, said: "Supporting local communities has been an inherent part of The Co-operative’s values and principles since the very beginning of the Co-operative Movement.

"We are particularly proud of the Community Fund, as it demonstrates how the generosity of our members can make a real difference in their local area, and now we have stores and branches in every postal area of the UK it makes it all the more relevant."

Cliff Hayes added that the charity, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales and Public Health Wales, is now hoping to provide an “Accessible Cycling” project at Jenner Park from this summer onwards.

"We welcome anyone interested in cycling who wishes to become involved or volunteer to help deliver this new exciting cycling project," he said.

"It will enable children, young people and adults with a disability or pan-disability to access cycling and enjoy the exhilaration and excitement of open air speed and the opportunity to participate in a leisure activity with their family/carer in a safe environment."