AN inspirational young man from Ellesmere Port with a severe physical and mental disability has smashed his walking challenge target, raising more than £1,800 for a local children’s disability charity.
Loyd Wildridge, from Great Sutton, took part in the national 5K May challenge to raise funds for Children Today Charitable Trust throughout the month of May.
He doubled the target and aimed to walk 10 kilometres, but he’s gone even further and has notched up 15 kilometres.
The 21-year-old suffered a series of seizures at the age of six and was put into a medically induced coma and, as his mum Helen, explained: “We were told to prepare for the worst, so as you can imagine it was a horrendous time for us as a family. But Loyd is such a fighter and he pulled through.”
However, the brain damage caused by the undiagnosed condition left Loyd unable to walk or talk.
Helen says: “Thankfully with a lot of support, over the years Loyd has slowly relearned to walk and talk, but he’s only able to walk short distances at a time and he tires easily, so this was a huge challenge for him.”
In 2016 Loyd underwent multi-level surgery on both legs to help straighten up his legs and, on the advice of his physiotherapist to help with his recovery, took up cycling.
However, due to his disability, he was not able to ride a regular bike so Children Today, which provides specially adapted equipment for young people with disabilities, provided an adapted trike for Loyd.
Helen added: “We’re incredibly proud of Loyd. He has no idea how amazing he is and how his wonderful personality and enthusiasm inspires so many other people. From close friends and family to old acquaintances, there have been so many people who have supported him. We even had a stranger walking their dog hand us a donation.
“His JustGiving page has been one of the most successful fundraisers on the platform throughout May, apparently he’s in the top five per cent of fundraisers out of thousands of people. So, I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated, it means so much!"
During his walking challenge, Loyd has also been doing a spot of litter picking as well to help clean up our streets.
On Loyd’s final day of walking, friends and family joined him at Whitby Park in Ellesmere Port to cheer him on and congratulate him on his fantastic achievement.
Emma Prescott, charity director at Children Today, said: “We are absolutely blown away by Loyd’s determination and stamina. He is such an inspirational young man and his amazing fundraising efforts will go a long way to helping others like him.
“The funds raised could pay for up to two or three adapted trikes, for instance, which could help young people with disabilities feel less isolated and improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. Thank you to everyone who has supported Loyd and donated.”
If you would like to support Loyd, you can still make a donation to his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hwildridge
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