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 £3,621 to buy her son, Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn pupil Kieran Ellison, a TomCat therapy trike to help combat social isolation and give him greater mobility.

Kieran, of 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 offers a range of features which would make it possible for Kieran to cycle alongside his family, as well as a 'Carer Control', a rear steering and braking innovation that put the carer in control of every aspect of the child’s safety and he has already been successfully assessed by the company

To raise funds, Mrs Ellison will host an evening of entertainment at Cheers Sports & Show Bar, on Water Street in Rhyl, on Friday, August 23 from 8pmwhere 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 currently being planned for between late July and early August, and 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 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. 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 when he was being assessed."

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