IT was a fitting end to an admirable feat.

Father Christian Ryan completed his 70-mile walk along the River Thames at The Footsteps Centre, Dorchester- on-Thames, on Tuesday.

His nine-year-old son Peter has cerebral palsy and needs to undergo intensive physiotherapy at the centre four times a year.

Mr Ryan, from Bridgend, Wales, said: “It’s really to help all the kids that are coming here so that they get the physio that they need.

“The centre has made a really big difference to his life.

“I can’t imagine what Peter would do if he had not been there.”

Almost £3,000 has been raised to support his treatment at the Queen Street centre.

Peter’s three-week intensive physiotherapy courses cost £2,250 each time.

Stained glass artist Mr Ryan began at Gloucestershire’s Thame’s Head, the source of the river, before arriving at The Footsteps Centre where he met with his son.

He was joined on the trek by friends Nick McAndrew and Cath Brown.

The family have needed to undertake the two and a half hour journey from their South Wales home to the centre four times each year. The Footsteps Centre provides physiotherapy sessions for children and young adults with neurological disorders.

To support, visit justgiving.com/Christian-Ryan1


Top News
Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone's contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.

Our top stories