Aimee's wheelbarrow challenge for Knaresborough disabled charity

Kathy Allday said the amazing Aimee hadn't stopped smiling since she started her wheelbarrow challenge with her beloved dog Bertie to help other people with learning disabilities adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Her mum said: "Aimee normally goes to the Gift People, a day service in Knaresborough, which supports 52 vulnerable young adults with a range of disabilities, offering them a safe, friendly and supportive environment in which they learn skills such as IT, cooking, textiles and other crafts and woodworking.

"The Gift People are a not for profit social enterprise whose income has almost dried up and without support it may struggle to survive the current lockdown.

"If it closed, Aimee and her friends would be devastated and left more socially isolated than ever. Many of them live alone with no or limited family contact."

At first Aimee was going to do a three-legged walk with her mum – but they both kept falling over!

Then she thought about using a wheelbarrow to push her mum but that didn't work either.

Undeterred, Aimee decided to put her little dog Bertie in the wheelbarrow instead.

She is now pushing Bertie down the family's very long gravel drive a minimum of four times every morning for a whole month.

A Facebook fundraising page has been set up for donations to Gift People which raised more than £1,500 in the opening two days alone.

Kathy said: "Aimee can't stop smiling even though her arms are aching. A lady even came up to our door and dropped £20 in an envelope!"

But many more such donations are needed if this vital Knaresborough charity is to survive lockdown.

Kathy said: "Aimee is worried about all her friends and how they are coping.

"But our target is £5,000. I hope everyone will help Aimee reach her target and help the Gift People continue to support vulnerable adults in our area."

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Why Gift People in Knaresborough need your support

Gift People supports people with learning disabilities in Knaresborough and a wider Yorkshire catchment area.

They are struggling due to reduced income because of the coronavirus.

If they close 52 people with learning disabilities will lose their support.

The Gift People provide much needed workshops where their vulnerable clients can learn new skills - baking, textiles and other crafts, IT and woodworking.

How to donate to Aimee's and Bertie's Charity Wheelbarrow push

If anyone wants to donate please visit the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/donate/

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