Generous donors help Oliver get on the move - The Evesham Observer

Generous donors help Oliver get on the move

Evesham Editorial 1st Oct, 2016 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A BRAVE Pershore boy whose family thought would never ride a bike has been given the chance to learn after kind-hearted residents raised £1,400.

Oliver Eden was diagnosed with meningitis at just four weeks old and sustained brain damage as a result, but despite all the odds he pulled through and has stunned family and friends with his progress.

Oliver, who is now eight, has been given the chance to ride a bike especially made for him after Pershore residents rallied around and raised £1,400 in just a week.

Having tried various types of bikes and go-karts in the past, it wasn’t until his teaching assistant Jackie Hall and another mum at his school contacted the charity Theraplay who came to the school with a special bike for him to ride.




With up to a two-year waiting list for funding, a GoFundMe page was set up and donations came flooding in.

Overwhelmed with the response, the mum-of-four, who has lived in Pershore for five years, said: “It was a very emotional time when you are told that walking, talking, eating and drinking could be a mission and then you see him ride a bike, it’s quite amazing.


“Neena, another mum at the school, set up the fund-raising page and amazingly people started putting in their hard-earned cash.

“We also had a big donation from my friend’s boss back home in London which really boosted our total.

“It only took a week to raise the money for his bike and now he rides everywhere.

“As a family we try and give back where we can but the Pershore community is out of this world with people coming together and making things happen.

“We’ve been so lucky to have fantastic friends and support from local agencies. I have lived in many places across the country and can honestly say that this is now our home.”

Oliver is now enjoying his new bike which enables him to go to the park with his friends and spend time with his family in the town centre.

Julie said: “It just shows that given the right equipment kids like Oliver can do these things.

“He was zooming around when he got the bike and now he can just chill with his mates.

“Nothing ever stops him and he is so happy in the things he has achieved.

“His sisters Lauren, Carly and Lilly all support him in everything he does.

“He really is our miracle.”

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