A Cheshire man is taking on a fundraising challenge for a Chester based charity, which has supported him.
Loyd Wildridge, from Great Sutton, has announced his 'Wheely Big Challenge' to raise money for Children Today, a charity dedicated to helping disabled young people and their families.
The challenge forms part of the charity's 30th Anniversary celebrations and their '30 for 30 Challenge' campaign, encouraging people to undertake a fundraising challenge connected with the number 30.
Mr Wildridge's 'Wheely Big Challenge' entails him completing 30 laps in 30 days, using a specially adapted trike.
The campaign kicked off on May 1, and amazingly, Loyd has already completed 23 laps and raised an impressive £460.
Mr Wildridge's connection with Children Today stretches back to 2006 when he suffered a life-altering illness at the age of 7 that left him with significant brain damage and in a medically induced coma.
The aftermath of this illness saw him combatting multiple complications including cerebral palsy, oculodentodigital dysplasia, scoliosis and kyphosis, epilepsy, among others.
To his mother, Helen Dalby-Wildridge, the boy that emerged from this ordeal was unrecognisable.
She said: "When Loyd came out of the coma he was no longer the child he once was.
"Loyd had regressed so much that he was unable to walk, talk or sit up and was in hospital for 6 months.
"Despite all the barriers Loyd faces in his life he absolutely pushes himself to his limits, he always has a smile on his face and his cheeky character, wit and charm has got him far.
"He loves to help others the way others have helped him.
"We couldn’t be prouder of him!"
Children Today played an integral part in Mr Wildridge's recovery after his leg surgery in 2016 by providing him with the specially adapted trike.
This equipment acted as an aid in his physical recovery, and still serves as a symbol of empowerment and freedom for him.
Now, at the age of 24, Mr Wildridge aims to give back to the charity that helped him.
His challenge mirrors his personal journey of overcoming obstacles, as well as the 30 years of service by Children Today to the community.
Emma Prescott, charity director at Children Today, said: "Loyd's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.
"His determination to not only overcome his own challenges but also to support others facing similar circumstances is truly inspiring."
Over the past few years, Mr Wildridge has undertaken four fundraising challenges, raising over £4,500 for Children Today.
Donations from supporters, and those who want to undertake their '30 for 30 Challenge', go towards providing essential support and equipment for disabled young people.
You can support Mr Wildridge by visiting his fundraising page https://childrentoday.enthuse.com/pf/loyd-wildridge.
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