Three-year-old girl receives adapted bike just in time for Christmas after generous tutor and students adapt it for her needs

Tia was thrilled to receive her very own adapted bike

A Myerscough College Foundation Learning tutor and his students have finished a very special project for a local girl with Cerebral Palsy.

Andy Nuttall, Lecturer in Motor Vehicle Studies, along with foundation learning students and the department’s Supported Internship group, adapted a standard bike for three-year-old Tia Harrison, from Preston.

The project was completed last week, just in time for Christmas.

Andy answered to a social media post where Tia’s mum, Catherine, reached out for ways to try and raise £3,000 to buy an adapted bike for her.

A bike that could be adapted was then donated by Michelle Lomas and her local clothing company, Red Roux Rouge.

Andy went a step further and with the students, carried out all the necessary adaptations to make the bike suitable for Tia.

The project saw them completely fabricate and weld a new rear end to convert the bike into a trike, add a seat with safety harnesses, adapt the pedals with foot holders and straps, added a handle to control the bike and they even added shiny bows to the handle bars.

Tia’s mum, Catherine Harrison, said: “I cannot describe how happy I am and how grateful we are to have been so lucky that Tia got her wish.

“A massive thank you to Michelle and Red Roux Rouge for gifting Tia a bike to be adapted. It was truly amazing generosity and has given a little girl all she wanted.

“Secondly a massive thank you to Andy. What an absolute amazing kind guy and super talented you are. It was very emotional to see her sat there on a bike. Thank you both so much for caring for my little girl and giving her a special amazing bike. I’m so grateful to know you both.

“The bike is going to bring so much happiness for her and us as a family. We are truly overwhelmed with it all and feel we are so lucky. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough.

“Andy and his team should be very, very proud of themselves. It’s a perfect end to the most awful year, and so many happy memories will be made.”

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