Highland family fundraiser for electric wheelchair bike passes £2k
They're wanting to raise £7,000 to buy the new bike for James Murray
A family's fundraiser to buy an electric bike for their disabled relative to enjoy the outdoors has passed £2,000.
James Murray, has Angelman syndrome leaving him unable to walk or talk.
With his day care at the Corbett Centre being lost due to the pandemic, the family wanted to ensure he wasn't stuck in the house.
To help him get out and about, brother-in-law and carer Mark Forbes, from Kirkhill, started taking him out cycling using a special bike.
James is loving his new hobby, but to help Mark take on some longer routes, he's hoping to raise £7,000 for an electric wheelchair bike.
Mark says lockdown restrictions have had a big impact on James.
He said: "James has lived a very sheltered life with being shielded. He hasn’t been out very much at all until we started going out on the bike.
"The biggest thing about lockdown is that we lost all our care services outwith. We lost our respite, we’ve lost the day centre itself.
"Things like this have become more important. To try and look for things outside the box.
"It’s bits and pieces like this that have helped keep us going.
"Obviously, the fact that we’re fundraising has lifted the family spirit because you hear lots of nice things from people out in the public."
Mark's hoping to cycle a 30-mile route with James in the current wheelchair bike they're using to help reach their £7k target.
You can find more details about this and donate here