A TEENAGE girl with cerebral palsy who was told by doctors she would never walk or talk, has ridden 100 miles on her exercise bike to raise money for the NHS.
Issy Hart, 16, from Chipping Norton, embarked on the effort to raise donations for frontline medical services through NHS Charities Together.
The teenager has been watching funds flood in on her GoFundMe page, and upon publication, she had raised almost £2,000.
Issy’s mother, Jodie Keenan, said: “She’s always been one for raising money.
“At school she used to make place mats and sell them.
“She always wants to help others and what inspired her was Tom Moore doing his walk round his garden.”
Army veteran Captain Tom Moore captured the hearts of the country when he set out to walk 100 lengths of his garden in time for his 100th birthday.
His efforts also boosted NHS Charities Together, raising an incredible £30m – with money still coming in.
Issy has athetoid cerebral palsy, a movement disorder caused by damage to the developing brain.
That, however, has not stopped her from doing her bit to raise valuable donations for the NHS.
Her mum, who works at The Tea Set cafe in Chipping Norton, said: “She’s limited as to what she can do in the lockdown, but with the exercise bike she was able to just get on and go.
“When she was younger, she was told she would never walk or talk, but she basically said ‘up yours’ to that!
“She was told by a doctor that she’d never be able to carry a child because of her disability.
“At times, it has upset her, but now she just gets on with it.
“Her condition affects her movement, balance and speech, but she doesn’t shut up now. She’s definitely making up for lost time."
She added: “We’re so overwhelmed by the money raised.
“We put £100 as a target and it just keeps going up and up.”
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Issy completed the challenge over four days, cycling 25 miles per day.
She cycled for about an hour and 20 minutes per day, according to her mum.
The teenager was due to take her GCSEs this summer, with art and drama her favourite subjects.
Her mum, 40, said: “She wants to be a social worker and she’ll be starting her Health and Social Care course at Witney College in September. She always wants to help others.”
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Issy has told her mum that she wishes to travel the world and visit orphanages at some point in the future, such is her drive to help other people.
NHS Charities Together represents, champions and supports the work of more than 140 member charities.
See more: Takeaway delivers over 1,500 meals in lockdown
The charity gives £1m a day to the NHS, providing vital funds to help the health service operate. In the past year, £457m was fundraised by its members.
To make a donation to Issy's GoFundMe page, please visit: gofundme.com/f/4v9fga-a-cause-i-care-about-needs-help
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