A BROMSGROVE teenager is making the most out of life after being helped to buy a tandem tricycle by Bromsgrove Rotary Club.

14-year-old Harry Colson, who suffered severe learning disabilities after a traumatic birth and needs 24-hour care, loves cycling, and until recently he was getting around on family days out with a pull-along trike, but he had outgrown his old trike, and when the family looked into buying a new model, the cost was substantial.

Luckily Bromsgrove Rotary were calling for people who needed donations for equipment, and they stepped in with a donation of £4,700, which helped hugely toward the £6,200 cost of a new tandem trike, which Harry’s dad Andrew is able to help him pedal on days out with the family.

Andrew said: “We would like to show our thanks for the generous gift that the Rotary Club of Bromsgrove has given to Harry in order to purchase this wonderful trike.

“Harry has outgrown his previous pull along trike which he had many years of enjoyment from. This new trike will allow us to continue to have days out with the added bonus that we will all be able to ride along together.

“Because of the speciality and purpose build of these trikes without the Rotary Club he would have missed out on this important family activity.

“Before we were pulling Harry along on his old trike. Now he can go faster, although I don’t think I’d trust him to control it at the moment. With this trike he can get an idea of speed, and he’s a bit of a speed freak, he does like going faster.”

Harry, who goes to Wyre First School in Kidderminster, is also a keen horse rider.

Andrew added: “He’s an inspiration to yourself and others, he’s got an infectious laugh.”

Tony Docherty, president of Bromsgrove Rotary, said: “One of the wonderful things about being in an organisation such as Rotary is the happiness we can bring to people. This was particularly evident when we presented Harry with his new tricycle. The look of joy and excitement on his face as he rode around the park made it a very special day for all of us.”