Fun day to help buy Harry a bike

Little Harry Ragless wants to ride a bicycle like his friends but his low muscle tone makes it very difficult.
Harry Ragless tries out the trike ahead of the fun day being organised to raise funds to help buy him oneHarry Ragless tries out the trike ahead of the fun day being organised to raise funds to help buy him one
Harry Ragless tries out the trike ahead of the fun day being organised to raise funds to help buy him one

Parents Steve and Selina Ragless, of Sompting Road, Worthing, have tried various types without success because Harry, three, has spina bifida, causing limited feeling in his feet.

Finally, they have found a specialist Tomcat trike that will give Harry the support he needs and they are busy raising the £1,720 needed to buy him one. Lots of businesses have shown their support and the family is already halfway there.

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It is hoped a fun day at Goring Conservative Club, in Mulberry Lane, on Saturday, May 27, will give a big boost.

Selina said: “I just want him to be able to ride a bike like everybody else. He sees all his friends at Children First Nursery at Worthing College on one.

“He gets tired easily and has to wear splints with ankle-foot orthosis. He can’t do scooters either because he can’t balance.

“He is such a good boy. He is so happy and chilled. Harry is quite well known everywhere in town and is quite famous in Sainsbury’s.

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“We have tried every bike going. We did buy an electric one but because he could not feel his feet on the pedals, so that was no good for him.

“We trialled this Tomcat trike, which has three wheels. It is quite a big trike with specialised leg support, adjustable footplates for his feet and grippers around the ankles.

“The brakes are hand operated and there is a back rest, so there is more support around him. It also has full carer control behind. It should last until he is nine and can be adjusted to him as he grows.”

Harry’s Trike Fun Day will be opened by Worthing town crier Bob Smytherman at 12pm and run until 4pm.

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The Iconic Legion will be there, as Steve is a stormtrooper with the group, and four men have volunteered for a leg wax.

There will be a barbecue, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, tombola and raffle, including many prizes donated by local businesses. Entry is free and parking is available.

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