A SEVEN-year-old boy is fundraising to make his dream come true - being able to walk to school with his sister, who has cerebral palsy.
Elwyn Bullock, of Ilkley, has already raised more than £6,000 to go towards equipment for his sister Lori, two, who cannot stand unaided.
Now he’s embarking on a triathlon challenge to bring in even more cash to help buy an Innowalk machine, which will build the muscle strength of Lori, who was left with cerebral palsy after contracting encephalitis as a baby.
Elwyn said on the family’s online fundraising page: "My sister developed cerebral palsy when she was two weeks old after a challenging first few weeks in hospital.
"I love my sister very, very much and I would like to raise money to help buy an Innowalk machine to help make her muscles stronger so hopefully one day we can walk to school together."
At the triathlon event on October 30 Elwyn will swim 500m at Ilkley pool before cycling nine miles (14.5km) along to Ghyll Royd School where Lori attends nursery and then running three miles (4.8km) around Ilkley. The Ashlands Primary School pupil will finish up his challenge on his school playing fields, where friends and family will cheer him to the finish.
Elwyn will be joined by mum Rhian in the swim, and dad John will support him in the bike ride, while grandma Barbara and his schoolmates will join him in the run.
Rhian said: "The Innowalk machine is an amazing bit of kit. It is like a cross trainer but it does the work for you. They cost about £15,000-25,000 new, but we managed to locate one for sale down in Devon.
"Lori will be able to sit in it and be supported upright while it walks her legs.
“It will help with muscle tone, core strength and bone density, and when she's running it will give her some cardio, so this will get her heart beating faster.”
The family set a £3,000 target but Elwyn’s efforts have more than doubled that. The machines are not available on the NHS and as well as the upfront cost it requires regular maintenance and adjustments as Lori grows up which cost around £1,000 a year.
It is hoped that with the help of the Innowalk, Lori will be able to walk with some support by the time she is six.
Rhian said her daughter is “determined, strong-willed and eager to move."
She added: "We are wowed by the amount of money donated. We are grateful and humbled by the generosity of people."
To help out with the fundraising and to support Elwyn’s efforts, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helploriwalk?utm_id=2&utm_term=VQxRQDwQr
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