Community buys bike trailer for Phoebe, six (From Salisbury Journal)
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Community buys bike trailer for Phoebe, six
1:00pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News
Community buys bike trailer for Phoebe, six
A COMMUNITY has rallied round and raised funds to buy a six-year-old Fordingbridge girl with complex epilepsy and autism a new bicycle trailer so she can ride again.
Phoebe Bailey has outgrown the tag-along trailer that enabled her to enjoy the great outdoors when she cycled behind her mum Kim.
But now, after a fundraising campaign launched by the family and supported by Fordingbridge Co-opand Breamore Primary School’s PTA, enough money has been raised to buy Phoebe the specially adapted trailer.
Phoebe’s mother Kim said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from the entire community, and we can’t thank the Co-op enough for helping us reach our goal in such a short amount of time.
“While Phoebe’s condition means there are many things that are difficult for us to do as a family, we all get so much from our family outings on two wheels, and Phoebe loves the fresh air and watching the world go by.
“We are all very excited about exploring our beautiful local area some more, even if we do have to wrap up warm to brave the crisp winter weekends.” After hearing about Phoebe’s plight, the Fordingbridge food store and Breamore Primary School started a collection bin for aluminium cans, which can be recycled and exchanged for cash.
And the Co-op donated the final £500 needed to buy the specially adapted bike trailer.
Paul Johnson from the Co-op said: “As a community retailer we like to get involved with local activity as much as possible, and when we read Phoebe’s story there was absolutely no question that we would do all we could to support the family’s fundraising effort.
“As well as the can collection, which was a great way to get the ball rolling, we have done other fundraising activities that allowed us to top up the pot and secure the bike trailer for the family.
“I wish them all the very best for the future, and I hope they enjoy many more outings together.”
