Firms dig deep to give Alex a special present

8:00am Friday 5th September 2008

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A SPORTS-mad disabled student will start the college term on a high after getting a once-in-a-lifetime gift from workers in Herefordshire.

Alex Preece, who has cerebral palsy, will enjoy better mobility and the ability to perform physiotherapy exercises independently when he starts a PE A-level course in Hereford after receiving a state-of-the-art wheelchair.

Alex, aged 19, from Lyonshall, said he had been waiting for one like it all his life and added: “It’s here now and it’s mine – and it’s a wonderful feeling.”

The chair will help the cricket fan fulfil the sporting side of his studies better but, priced at £10,000, it was a distant dream until two county businesses stepped in.

Staff at Q Group and Special Metals Wiggin were so inspired by Alex, who is the first disabled person to have completed a sports science diploma at Holme Lacy College, that both firms donated large sums.

Secretary Samantha Hopkins said trustees of Special Metal Wiggins’ Community Service Fund awarded £5,000 – despite never having offered such an amount to one person before.

And when commercial director Claire Kurk found Alex fundraising in Hereford, she had Q Group transfer money to him within two days – and has since arranged for him to be flown to Leicestershire by helicopter for a special day out racing some of the world’s fastest cars.

“When we can make such a difference to someone’s life for £5,000, there is no question,” Ms Kurk said.

Carer Laura Middlemiss started fundraising four months ago to help Alex continue with his studies.

She told wellwishers at the presentation of the wheelchair at the George Inn: “I hope you realise what a difference you have made to a young man’s life.”

And Alex was already feeling the benefits in a trial trip around the pub car park afterwards.

“It’s absolutely fantastic being able to move my legs on my own, which I’ve never been able to do before in my life,” he said.