A FAMILY unable to enjoy walks and picnics together is hoping a specially designed trike could give their 15-year-old son a new lease of life.

Cheryl Ellision is trying to raise more than £3,500 to buy her son Kieran, pupil at Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn, Denbigh, a TomCat therapy trike to give him greater mobility and reduce his social isolation.

Kieran, from Rhyl, has a combination of autism, hyper mobility, dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder which make it difficult for him to walk very far without pain and unable to ride a two wheel bike.

Mrs Ellison said: “ We can’t go out for walks as a family- Kieran is reluctant to come out with us in the car too for fear of having to walk further than he can manage, so this causes him to become isolated within his home

"The trike will get him out in the fresh air, spend quality family time together walking with Kieran riding his trike and being able to enjoy the time outdoors.

“We will be able to transport the trike in our car meaning Kieran will be able to come places with us and feel like he wants to be included in days or afternoons out like picnics at the lake and walks along the prom - all normal things he’s currently too afraid to do.”

The trike has a range of features that would enable Kieran to cycle alongside his family, including a 'Carer Control', a rear steering and braking controlled by the carer.

To raise the funds, Mrs Ellison will host an evening of entertainment at Cheers Sports & Show Bar, Rhyl from 8pm on August 23. They will have drag performer Serenity Royal and Ann Summers Ambassador Liz McDermott.

A charity football match between Rhyl Allstars and Crewe Athletic FC is being planned for between late July and early August, while the family have already raised £400 from a football scratch card.

Mrs Ellison added: “As Kieran’s mum it means the world to me to be able to give him the ability to do something that others take for granted.

“We are trying to fund it ourselves because we have the support to do it. We know that charities feel the strain of applications from families in need and we didn’t want to add to that if we didn’t need to.

“Kieran knows we are trying to raise the funds for a trike for him and I think he’s looking forward to it. He doesn’t express emotions very well because of his autism but he was very happy on the trike."

Cheryl has set up a crowdfunding page on Just Giving which has raised £45 of its £3,621 target. To donate, visit justgiving.com