Cyclists raised £2,000 towards life-changing equipment for disabled Shirebrook youngster

Ashton Fearn-Betts, who has Lennox-Gaustaut Syndrome, and his mum Jemma were presented with the new equipment at Stubbin Wood School by three members of Shirebrook Cyclng Group- Tony Bennet, Richard Merryman and Dale Humphries.

The trio had cycled to Skegness from Shirebrook and raised £4,000 for charity, half of which was used to buy a device which will allow Ashton’s condition to be monitored while he sleeps.

Sue Short, Stubbin Wood School’s deputy head, said: “A lot of our pupils aren’t even from Shirebrook, having to travel from elsewhere in the region, and the support we receive from the town’s community is still amazing.

“This is an example of the support we get. We’d like to thank Shirebrook Cycling Group for their donation to Ashton- we really appreciate it.”

Seven-year-old Ashton was diagnosed with Lennox-Gaustaut Sydrome in 2014, when he had an eplileptic seizure so severe it starved his brain of oxygen, an autistic regression that reduced his mental age to that of a baby.

Ashton is now unable to talk and has around 50 seizures a day, often needing medical care.

Sensory equipment and hydrotherapy he receives at Stubbin Wood helps keep him calm and entertained, and Jemma hopes this new equipment will further improve his quality of life.

She said: ““It will give him a better chance of doing everything other boys do. The ongoing support of people around him is amazing.

“Every little bit helps and I appreciate the generosity and support of everyone.”