A TEENAGER who has a paralysed arm has been given funding for a new specially adapted mountain bike so he can pursue his passion for the sport.

Troy Dodds, from Consett, has left arm Erbs Palsy – a condition caused by a birth injury – which means he cannot use his hands to brake on that side.

When the 14-year-old first started mountain biking he only had a back brake because he was unable to use the one on the left hand side.

He now has an adapted bike, which has both brakes on the same side, and rides most weeks at Hamsterley Forest, as well as racing all over the region.

He has now been given £500 towards a new bike as part of law firm Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do it initiative, aimed at promoting involvement in disability sport.

Lisa Dodds, his mother, said: “We are so proud of everything Troy has been able to achieve so far and this funding has been a great help to ensure he has a bike suited to his needs.

“It’s fantastic to see an organisation like Irwin Mitchell provide support to sportspeople like Troy and also show a commitment to highlighting the huge benefits that sport can offer to individuals of all abilities. We are very grateful to them.”

Troy, who is a pupil at St Bede’s Catholic School in Lanchester, has had to have a number of operations as a result of his condition.

In 2013, he had shoulder surgery, a week after cycling 174 miles along Hadrian’s Wall to raise money for the Erbs Palsy Group (EPG), which aims to help people understand the condition.

For the last three years he has been a keen mountain biker and won his first race last year, in the Northern Downhill TT.

This year, he has been racing all over the region, with his next event at Fort William on Sunday, in the Scottish downhill championships.

Angela Kirtley, a partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: “Through our work we have seen the huge impact that sport can have on lives, with Troy being a perfect example of this.

“Despite his Erb’s palsy he has been able to compete at a high level in cycling and we are delighted to be able to lend support so he can access to specialist equipment that he requires. We wish him all the best in his other events this year and beyond.”