Sittingbourne parents Liam and Sarah Burgin launch campaign to buy Ella - who suffers from cerebral palsy - a specially made bike

Published: 00:01, 19 March 2015

Relatives of a disabled six-year-old girl from Sittingbourne have launched a fundraising drive in the hope of fulfilling her lifelong dream.

Ella Burgin was born with cerebral palsy, which means she has to have regular physiotherapy sessions to help her move properly.

Her condition is more serious as she also has hemiplegia and polymicrogyria and is almost completely paralysed on the left side of her body.

Ella Burgin, who needs a specially made bike

Because of her muscle weakness, Ella has never been able to ride an ordinary bike, which is something she dreams of.

“I want her to be a paralympian one day. She could definitely do it because she doesn’t give up at anything” - Dad Liam

Her parents, Liam and Sarah Burgin, both 28, have now embarked on a drive to raise £2,280 so mobility equipment company Quest 88 can make her a special bicycle she will be able use on her own.

Liam, who is in the Army and completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, said: “All she wants is to ride a bike. We did get her a normal bike but she couldn’t ride it.

“She just wants to be one of the kids – that’s why it is important for her to get a bike.

“I want her to be a paralympian one day. She could definitely do it because she doesn’t give up at anything.”

Mum Sarah, who is also raising Ella’s seven-month-old sister Lexie, has described the struggle she and Liam faced when they were given Ella’s diagnosis when she was just a baby, and how they have worked to make sure her life is like any other child’s.