Trike appeal for girl with cerebral palsy

Zoe's mother says the adapted trikes give her 'joy and independence'

Family and friends of a girl with cerebral palsy are trying to raise money to buy her an adapted trike.

Zoe, who is 14 and from Shrewsbury, loves cycling and discovered the trikes when she got to try one at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

Her mother, Sally, said: "The trike offers Zoe more than just exercise, it's become a source of joy and independence."

She said they set themselves a target of raising £2,500 and are more than half way there through online donations and sales of bracelets and keyrings made by Zoe.

Sally described her daughter as a "determined and adventurous 14-year-old" who lives with "a number of complex conditions".

As well as cerebral palsy, Zoe has left hemiplegia, learning disability, deafness, and epilepsy.

Sally said Zoe has always loved going on family bike rides, but was unable to use a two-wheeled bike and had outgrown the trike she used to ride.

They found Zoe was able to take part in British Cycling's Limitless programme in Shrewsbury and use an adapted, stable recumbent bike.

Sally said: "The transformation was immediate.

"Zoe was beaming, full of joy and confidence as she zipped around the track and even tackled some off-road sections."

Her family now want her to have a trike of her own "so she can enjoy the freedom of cycling again".

They said Zoe was contributing towards the fund herself through her business "Zoe's Beadz", which offered handmade bracelets and keyrings.

She has also been asking for donations instead of birthday and Christmas presents.

Ioan Said, the head of Cycle Development at the Sports Village, said seeing Zoe take to the adapted Trike there was "incredible".

He added that despite her challenges, "Zoe faces life with remarkable strength and a radiant smile, especially when she's out cycling".