A LITTLE boy who has been battling cerebral palsy since he was a baby has been given a new sense of freedom thanks to a celebrated local charity.

Seven-year-old Jack Bennett was less than one years old when he was diagnosed with a life-limiting condition that changed the lives of his family forever.

Jack's cerebral palsy means he is unable to move around with the same freedom as other children and he also struggles with speech.

However, thanks to donations from The Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charity Trust and Harrison's Fun Fund, Jack is now the proud owner of a brand new specially designed tricycle that will enable him to ride around by himself.

Jack's mother Joanne said: "Jack is very excited. He's already trialled it and he loved it.

"Jack's five-year-old brother Daniel is just learning to ride without stabilisers but Jack hasn't got that rhythm in his feet so he can't sit on a bike.

"To be able to ride on his own will be amazing. He just wants to be like everyone else."

Each month The Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charity Trust donates £1,000 to worthy causes across the area.

This month's donation will buy Jack a shiny red disability tricycle which has straps for his feet, waist and chest.

Mrs Bennett is delighted to be able to buy the £1,600 tricycle and believes it will make a massive difference to family life.

She said: "I'm hoping he will be able to ride it himself and learn to control it himself. There is a parent handle on it but hopefully he can take control.

"It's great for strengthening up his legs and giving him better coordination. It means I will be able to take both boys out together."

So far, Jack's life has been very different from other little boys as problems began to arise from a very early age.

Mrs Bennett said: "Just after he was born he started to make a funny grunting noise but it took about five weeks for someone to take a look at it.

"When they did, the doctors said it might be trauma from birth but then he started to have mini-seizures."

After months of tests and terrible agony for Jack, he was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly before his first birthday.

Jack's diagnosis turned the Bennett family's lives upside down and Mrs Bennett believes people just aren't aware of how limiting this condition can be.

She said: "It was devastating. Cerebral palsy is all around you but until it touches your life you don't notice anything. I don't think anyone realises just how much it takes over your life.

"You're there 24/7 doing everything you can for your child."

Each month The Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charity Trust donates £1,000 to worthy causes across the area.

<strong> Do you know someone who would benefit from a £1,000 donation? Apply to the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Trust here. </strong>

<strong> Related content: Surprise donation from Lake District Farmers overwhelms Barrow family </strong>

<strong> Related content: Askam youth club's short-term future secured </strong>