A DISABLED boy was able to celebrate his birthday in style after getting a dream ride in his favourite vehicle.

James Connaughton, from Stockton-On-Tees, celebrated his 21st birthday with a visit from his local bin men.

However, this was no ordinary visit – because they had a special treat in store so that lorry mad James could have his dream come true.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Care for Your Area workers made a special trip to James’s family home for his birthday so that he could experience a bin lorry close up and see what the bin men actually do.

James’s father Paul Connaughton and mother Julie Connaughton together run JPC Community Farm, near Stokesley, which provides respite for people with additional and complex as well as learning life skills, training for employment and so much more.

Mr Connaughton said: “It was amazing honestly, I thought it was a bit of a long shot but I thought I may as well try anyway.

“They came over with their new bin lorry and he loved it.

“His love for bin lorries came from when we gave him an Ipad during lockdown. 

“He quickly learnt how to use it and got on to Youtube.

“He would also look at what he was watching and it turns out it was bin lorries and wheelchair lifts from around the world.

“We didn’t know he liked them until we saw the smile on his face while watching them. Ever since then he’s been obsessed with them. We can usually forget the simple things in life, and sometimes its those things that make you happy the most.

“They went the extra mile and came out to us to make it a very special birthday for him and he’s been buzzing ever since.”

James, wearing his hi-vis, was allowed into the cabin of the lorry to see how the controls work, accompanied by the bin men. 

James is the inspiration behind JPC Community Farm which offers a place for those with additional and complex needs to go for a meal out with family and not have to worry about how people may react to the different situations that occur whilst out and about. 

Mr Connaughton added: “We built the ethics of JPC Community Farm on James. It’s a place for them to come and be free.

“It’s a place to give people hope and to be confident, its about giving them the key skills they need to set them up in life.

“This place is vital for people like James to come, we don’t want to be the best kept secret we want to be a shining star that people know about.”

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