Charities pick up Lions' share for trike for Kingsclere girl

Now aged 10, Emma Clark was born with cerebral palsy and, after her family raised £30,000 through various events, she underwent spinal surgery at the St Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri, in August 2010, followed by further hamstring tendon-lengthening surgery to ease her mobility.
The community helped raise the cash needed for the flight and treatment, which was only available in the US.
Emma took her first unaided steps in September 2010 and has continued to make good progress.
Now her physiotherapy has received another boost, in the shape of a new tricycle.
Her mother Angela said that the family had been seeking a tricycle Emma that could use with confidence for three or four years without success, until she discovered one made by Glasgow-based company Therapy Ltd.
“She was very sceptical at first, but once we finally got her on it, she just took off,” said Mrs Clark. “That’s when we knew: this is the trike for Emma.”
After working through the specifications for her daughter with a therapy sales representative, the total costs came to £818, and Mrs Clark decided to apply for some financial help to purchase it.
“As we had already funded the numerous bikes we’d tried previously, and continue to fund Emma’s other physiotherapy and equipment needs on our own, we wanted to see if we could get a little bit of help on this one.”
With a list from the physiotherapist of charities that help disabled children, Mrs Clark contacted Loddon Valley, Newbury and Basingstoke Lions, who all agreed to help fund the cost of tricycle, for which the Clarks also paid for a few extras, such as puncture-proof tyres, a backrest and pelvic strap.
Emma has since enjoyed riding the tricycle during the Easter holidays and “every sunny weekend” since.
“The trike is amazing and provides Emma with a type of freedom she doesn’t normally have. Her twin sister Michelle and younger sister Rebecca are very grateful to finally be able to ride bikes with Emma around the neighbourhood.
“And not only is it great fun, it’s great therapy for her, to build up her quadracep muscles without her even knowing she’s getting in some physio.”