Last updated at 16:17, Wednesday, 06 February 2013

THE fund dedicated to bringing joy to the lives of disabled children is on a mission to raise £5,000 for a Barrow toddler.

WHEELCHAIR DREAM Eion and Amanda McPoland of Barrow with their son Corey, aged two

Harrison’s Fun Fund, the charity founded after thieves snatched severely disabled 11-year-old Harrison Holmes’ specially adapted bike, have their sights set on improving another youngster’s quality of life.

Corey McPoland, aged two, has restricted mobility and is awaiting a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

His occupational therapist, Sue Gudgeon, contacted Harrison’s mum Joanna Holmes to enlist the help of the Fun Fund in raising money for a specially adapted electric wheelchair.

The toddler’s parents, Eion and Amanda McPoland, from Fenton Street, say their son is becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to join in with his friends.

Mrs McPoland, 24, said: “We first found out it was likely that had cerebral palsy when he was about one. They said his development was six months behind where it should be. Hearing that was very hard.

“He can’t stand up, and his ankles are twisted. He wants to join in with our other son Harley, but they can’t play together.”

Despite his limited mobility, Corey’s parents say he is not shy and loves playing with other children at Hindpool Nursery on Bath Street.

“He’s very bossy and dead bubbly, he likes to tell us what to do!” said Mrs McPoland.

“He loves playing with other children and we are hoping he will be able to join in with this wheelchair.”

Mrs Holmes, from Abbey Road, said: “Corey is gorgeous. He’s so cute, I never wanted to leave! His mum was really pleased.”

She says the fund plans to launch a campaign next week with the help of Harrison and his trusty music keyboard.

“We are hoping to get as many people as possible in Barrow to donate a pound. We are thinking of getting Harrison to go busking with his keyboard in Barrow town centre, and show off his bike to encourage people to donate.

“It feels so long ago that his bike was stolen. We have got over it now and are glad that so much good has come of it. It was all new to Corey’s mum and dad, and they couldn’t believe that someone would do such a thing.”

Details of the campaign will be announced next week.

Anyone wanting to help with the campaign or make a donation should call Joanne on 07445 812855.

First published at 16:06, Wednesday, 06 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk