A happy James McCaffrey, gives a lift to Doherty Oils mascot Bubbles, after receiving his new bike for Christmas from Michael Doherty MC21
ONE Roslea boy had his Christmas wishes come true after a local company decided to give him a present with a difference.
James McCaffrey who is six years old, has lived with severe cerebral palsy since his birth and as a result is wheelchair bound, but like any boy he loves getting outside to play. After making a wish to a volunteer in the community, a local company stepped in to provide him with a specially adapted bicycle.
His mum Patricia McCaffrey explained what it was like to hear James’ diagnosis, “It was a shock and took a while to sink in. It was our first child as well so we didn’t know any different. But it’s just his physical end of things that is affected. He is flying academically, thank God. He has a determined spirit.”
James’ dream to have a specially adapted bike this Christmas came true thanks to Michael Doherty from the Doherty Group who gave the present to James in lieu of gifts to business customers . Having been in business for 16 years Michael explained how times have not always been easy, but felt that at Christmas it was especially important to ‘give something back’.
Michael Doherty said, “Doing this small gesture for little James made our day. When James was here on Tuesday with his parents to collect the trike, it was like Christmas morning. He was so excited and his parents where so appreciative.
“Doing things like this makes working worthwhile. I like to pass some of my luck onto others. My luck is all down to a good team of people which I employ.”
The bike was a lovely present for the McCaffrey family, which also acts as a form of exercise for James to help build muscle strength, not to mention some welcome respite from the many physio and hospital appointments the primary 2 pupil regularly attends.
Patricia explained, “It is already making a huge difference. He is flying on it and it gives him his own independence. He takes it to school during the week and is able to play on it at breaktime.
“He went to pick the bike and he knows what he wants. – It’s a very generous gift to our family and James and we are very thankful.”
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