A municipal grant program is helping give a sense of freedom to kids with special needs.
The Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham Kent has purchased new adaptive bicycles for its Freedom Riders Adapted Bicycle Loan Program, thanks to new funding from the Councillor Ward Funding Grant Program through Hydro One, courtesy of Ward Six councillors Brock McGregor and Amy Finn.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience the freedom and fun of riding a bike,” said Brock McGregor in a news release. “This funding helps remove barriers and gives local children and families access to adaptive equipment that allows them to participate alongside their peers. I’m proud to support a program that creates meaningful opportunities for children of all abilities right here in Chatham-Kent.”
“Programs like Freedom Riders show what is possible when our community comes together to create more inclusive opportunities for children and youth,” added Finn. “These new adaptive bicycles will help more families enjoy time together, stay active, and experience the independence that comes with riding a bike.”
The Freedom Riders Adapted Bicycle Loan Program provides Children’s Treatment Centre clients with a fleet that includes specialized bicycles with adaptations and built in features designed to meet a variety of physical and developmental needs.
Each summer, families can borrow a bicycle to use at home, and during the school year, some bikes are loaned to local schools, extending the impact of the program throughout the community.
