KIND-HEARTED Oxford Mail readers have rallied to help a young cerebral palsy sufferer to once again play with his friends.

When Aidan Blake was two his parents were told he would never walk or go to mainstream school.

Thanks to a trike, specially designed to help strengthen his limbs, the ten-year-old has managed to learn how to walk with a frame and can keep up with his classmates at Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys.

Sadly Aidan has now outgrown his trike and needs a new one costing almost £3,000.

After getting the bulk of the money from the Caudwell Children charity, parents Donna and Karl Blake contacted the Oxford Mail earlier this month to see if readers could help them raise the remaining £440.

Mother-of-ten Mrs Blake said she had since been deeply touched by people’s generosity.

She said: “After seeing the story in the Oxford Mail, the local church contacted us and offered to help.

“Some of our neighbours have also been in touch and offered to help.

“And there was a little boy at the Oxford Academy – where three of my kids go – who had seen the story and given his £1 pocket money because he wanted to help. It’s so sweet for a kid to do that.”

Among those to offer help are the Leys Community Church and the Oxford Academy, which both held cake sales, raising more than £100 between them.

Pastor Chipper Betts from the Leys Community Church said he was ‘over the moon’ to help the family.

Neighbours have also handed the Blake’s small amounts of money.

But the couple are still a couple of hundred pounds off their target.

If you would like to help Aidan and his parents buy a new trike, which would last him until adulthood, contact reporter Amanda Williams on 01865 425426 or email awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk.