(mentions Boy with CMT) Staff at Yorkshire Building Society boost children’s cha

February 7, 2009

Staff at Yorkshire Building Society boost children's charity with

help of York actor Dunn

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PEDAL-POWERED staff at a York building society have raised hundreds

of pounds to help transform the lives of disabled children.

A team from the Feasegate branch of the Yorkshire Building Society

took part in a sponsored bike-a-thon – each taking it in turns on an

exercise bike to keep the wheels turning for eight hours.

They were helped by York soap star, Dunn, who took the saddle

for half-an-hour.

The staff raised £535 for their Rising Starz Appeal – money that was

matched pound-for-pound by the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable

Foundation – bringing the total to £1,070.

This will go to the charity Whizz-Kidz, which funds vital mobility

equipment for children such as Conway, of Sheriff Hutton, near

York.

, 11, suffers from the neurological disorder Charcot-Marie-

Tooth syndrome, which causes his muscles to waste and means he need

to use a wheelchair. Last year, thanks to funding from Whizz-Kidz and

the village charity, got a new, £2,500 lightweight wheelchair.

His mum said: " He already had a wheelchair provided by the

hospital, but it was very heavy and he couldn't wheel himself around

in it.

" This chair is much lighter, which means he can wheel himself around

without having to rely on somebody else to push him.

" He can wheel himself round the school playground at lunchtime and he

can pop round to his friend's house by himself.

" doesn't let anything stand in his way. He's just a normal kid

and this wheelchair means he can keep his independence. "

attended a training course run by Whizz-Kidz to teach him how

to use his wheelchair safely and get the most out of it.

The charity also runs a children's club, which meets regularly to

give members a chance to meet other young people who use wheelchairs.

Actor , of Dinnerladies and Coronation Street fame, said: " For

children who are disabled, having lightweight or electronic

wheelchairs gives them so much more freedom.

" I was really happy when the building society asked me to take part

in the bike-a-thon – although I wish the bike had been fitted with a

comfier seat because I was a bit sore the next day. "

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