A FIVE-YEAR-OLD disabled boy is set to get his dream gift in time for Christmas after his community rallied round to buy him a specially adapted bike.

Teddy Berriman, of Burnt Houses, in Teesdale, was born prematurely at 33 weeks and at just two-years-old doctors told his mum, Nicola Short, that her little boy was brain damaged.

The tot was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called spastic quadriplegia – the most serious form of spastic cerebral palsy – a condition which means he cannot walk, stand or sit unaided.

He is also partially sighted, incontinent and has autistic traits while uncontrollable epilepsy means he can suffer several seizures a day, requiring round-the-clock care.

On top of food intolerances, day-to-day life is tough for Teddy but Miss Short said it does not stop her little boy making the most of it.

“Teddy was born at 33 weeks but they don’t know when the brain damage has been done – all three areas of his brain got damaged except the central part so he can talk but has lots of other problems,” she said. “He’s so happy, bright and bubbly; he takes each day as it comes and is always so chirpy and smiling and just takes it in his stride.

“Every day you just never know what to expect and you cannot plan.”

Miss Short said Teddy loves horse riding but has not been able to go since July because of constant seizures and does not have many hobbies.

But one thing he does love to do is visit the park and it was then that she enquired about the possibility of getting him a specially-made bike that could give him some independence.

She said: “All kids want a bike so when we first got him diagnosed, we found a second-hand trike for him but as he got bigger his needs changed and now he needs one that helps with his physio.”

Miss Short was quoted £2,500 for the bike, which has special gears to help Teddy get around.

She added: “This bike can make his physio programme fun because he can do it in the park but also be more integrated into more settings like in the school playground.”

The cost of the bike meant Miss Short faced years of saving but when residents in her community found out about the idea, they quickly rallied round to raise the funds.

One main donor was Stacey Hopper, who raised £1,400 towards the scheme after taking on the Great North Run in September while the local Co-op donated £305 and the rest came from friends and family.

Miss Short said she had been “humbled” by the donations and wanted to thank everyone who donated.

The funds mean Teddy, who attends both Butterknowle Primary School and Percy Hedley School, in Newcastle, will have his new bike in time for Christmas.

Miss Short said: “Everyone in the community has got together and helped and I would not have been able to get it otherwise.

“I’m over the moon and it’s really nice that people think of us – every day is a challenge for us so it’s one less thing to I have to worry about.

“We are overwhelmed and cannot put into words how we feel.”