Can you help to get Macie a ‘big girl bike’
Donation protected
Macie is an 8year old girl who was diagnosed with a Chromosome defect, she also has a diagnosis of Global Development Delay, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Hyper-Mobility.
Macie was late reaching her milestones compared to others her age. The Global Development Delay affects walking, talking, learning new things and interacting with others emotionally and socially.
Learning to walk was Macie’s first proper challenge, she took her first few steps when she was 18months. She attended regular physio therapy sessions and she was given a walking frame to help her walk. After her second birthday we booked her in with a team from BRAINWAVE to see if they could help with her walking. We spent 2 full days with them and they were amazing! Our dreams had come true, Macie was taking more and more steps. It was incredible to see! This was one day we will never forget and we owe it all to BRAINWAVE, we cannot thank them enough.
We never knew if Macie would walk or talk. And everyday she continues to surprise us. She is a beautiful, happy, loving and cheeky little girl. She brings such happiness to everyone that she meets.
We are so proud of what she has achieved over the last 8 years.
During lockdown we came across a company that sold bike trailers, perfect for little ones unable to ride a bike. As going outside for fresh air was all we were able to do, we knew this was going to be a great investment . And it was! Macie absolutely loved it! Macie and mummy were going on bike rides daily. But as time has gone on Jasmine struggled with Macie in the trailer, which she was getting way too heavy for, and if anyone has cycled with these trailers or similar ones you will know they are not easy to manoeuvre especially on rough terrain.
This new bike would mean the world to her! When she got to trial the bike she just giggled and beamed, she was so excited. She has never rode a ‘big girl bike’ before due to her inability to push the pedals to go around from her poor muscle development.
So our challenge is to get Macie a more suitable bike, so that she can enjoy bike rides with Mummy. This bike would assist her and also help build the muscles required to move on to a normal bike, later on in life.
A little bit about the bike;
In 2013, Tomcat was awarded its first Queen’s Award after transforming the market for children’s disability trikes, changing the lives of thousands of young people.
In 2020, Tomcat was recognised with a second Queen’s Award for its hugely successful Bullet range of adult trikes. These trikes took the accessibility, innovation and inclusion offered by the children’s range to tackle almost all obstacles to cycling encountered in the teenage to adult years. This made bike riding possible for a huge sector of the disabled community for which there was little provision. It also ensures green transport alternatives remain available to all – both those with disabilities and adults who may have feared their cycling days were over.
These awards recognise the pioneering work Tomcat has done – and continues to do – to transform lives for people of all ages.
But you know what is coming, the price! The bike is £2,500 so now we have a new challenge and this is where you come in! We have got the ball rolling with a £500 deposit to start the bike build but if you would consider making a donation (big or small) to assist me with my fundraising it would be amazing!
We thank you in advance and cannot wait to show you Macie on her new bike, and her family enjoying life outdoors as they deserve.
Organizer and beneficiary
Annabel Lakin
Organizer
England
Jasmine Gray
Beneficiary