He’s wheely keen

Dec 7 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

A DISABLED lad has appealed for a tandem so he can take part in a charity bike ride with his pals.

Martin Atkin suffers from cerebral palsy but is determined not to let the condition stop him from helping others. The plucky youngster wants to join schoolmates raising money for ill babies. But he can’t ride a single-seat bike because of balance problems with his right hand.

Instead he wants a tandem so he can still take part in the event. But his efforts to find a bicycle made for two have failed.

And that’s why he is appealing for Sunday Sun readers to help.

He said: “I don’t have very much in my right side to ride a bike. If I can find a tandem one of my friends will sit at the front and steer while I sit behind and pedal.

“I don’t want to be left out of this event because it’s important for poorly babies.”

Martin is a pupil at George Stephenson High School, Killingworth, North Tyneside. The school is planning a bike ride in aid of the Tiny Lives campaign.

The charity helps the neo-natal unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, in their work with new-born babies.

Martin, 17, of Shiremoor, North Tyneside, said: “The cerebral palsy is down my right side so I don’t have very much balance. But I just get on with it, I play football, and it’s all right.”

Louise Carroll at Tiny Lives said the school was a frequent contributor to the charity. She said: “Everyone at Tiny Lives would like to say good luck to Martin.”

The Tiny Lives Fund can be contacted at The Community Foundation, Cale Cross, 156 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SU.

The email address is tinylives@community foundation.org.uk and the telephone number is 0191-222 0945.

• DO you have a tandem Martin would be able to borrow? Give us a call on 0191-201 6201 or email scoop.sundaysun@ncjmedia.co.uk.