A PLEA has gone out to help a disabled two-year-old Worcestershire boy get a special trike to give him mobility for the next few years.

Daniel Collins, of Evesham, was born with spina bifida and needs a specialist cycle to support his back for the next four to five years.

However, the trike is expensive. In order to raise the £700 needed, his father, Andrew Collins, and his friend, Chris Richardson, have decided to get on their bikes to raise the money needed. Mr Collins said: "We have decided to enter the 100-kilometre off-road end-urance event for cyclists in Builth Wells in Wales, in July and hope as many people as possible will sponsor us." His son, who also has hydrocephalus - an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the brain - has undergone several life-saving operations from the day he was born.

His parents were told at week 20 that Daniel would be born disabled but couldn't bring themselves to agree to a termination.

Mr Collins said: "Mandy and I do not agree with abortion. We were given hours to make up our minds and we just could not agree to it. Daniel is our second child and an extremely cheeky little chap.

"He's just started a special nursery school and he constantly laughs and smiles all the time. We wouldn't be without him for the world."

People who would like to sponsor Team Daniel are urged to contact Mr Collins on 01386 40945.

He said if more than £700 was raised the surplus would go to Ward 14 of the Birmingham Children's Hospital where Daniel has spent much of his life.

... David's

doing his

bit for an excellent cause, too

A MALVERN man is trekking 50 miles to raise money for people suffering from multiple sclerosis.

David Hawkins, a former Malvern Hills district councillor, will join others for the Bigfoot Challenge in Wiltshire on August 12 to 14.

Walkers complete 15 miles on the first day, a marathon on day two and the remaining nine miles on the third day.

Funds raised will help to fund nurses and provide scanners for those with MS.

Participants have to raise at least £400 in sponsorship.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Mr Hawkins should call him on 01684 574205.