North family fundraising for life-enhancing electric wheelchair bike for James

A north household has launched a fundraiser to purchase an electrical bike to assist a disabled man by way of the pandemic and past.

James Murray, 41, has Angelman Syndrome, leaving him with no speech and mobility impairment.

With the affect of Covid-19, he misplaced his valued day care on the Corbett Centre in Merkinch from the beginning of lockdown, leaving his household questioning easy methods to fill the hole in his life.

James lives together with his mother and father Kathleen and Jim in Kirkhill, Inverness-shire, whereas his brother-in-law Mark Forbes is close by.

Collectively, they share his care, with Mr Forbes, 41, offering a major stage of canopy.

Mark, a author and musician,  mentioned: “James misplaced his group of friends when the centre needed to shut, and all of the bustle of individuals round him which he loves.

“We might see that lockdown was having an affect on him, as he was extra quiet than regular, the place he’s often so mischievous and filled with enjoyable.

“The centre has a duet wheelchair bike and James used to exit in it, so requested if we might borrow it.”

The bike duly arrived and James and Mark have since develop into acquainted figures within the space, biking from Kirkhill to Reelig, Cabrich, Beauly and Muir of Ord.

James is on the entrance, whereas Mark pedals behind.

Mark mentioned: “I don’t get to see James whereas we’re out to see if he’s actually having fun with it or not so we connected a go-pro to see his reactions.

“He concentrates so exhausting on his environment, and at any time when we go downhill you possibly can see him grinning from the sense of freedom and exhilaration, issues he hadn’t skilled earlier than.”

The household at the moment are pondering forward to the time that they have to return the bike, and past to James’s future.

Mark mentioned: “In the long term, James will probably be shifting into his personal home, so we’d like a motorbike which his carers will have the ability to use.

“That’s why we’re making an attempt to lift the cash for an electrical bike. The present one isn’t, and it’s exhausting work on the hills.”

The household has launched a Justgiving page, ‘We’re elevating £7,000 to purchase a motorbike for James’ and James’ Bike Adventures on Facebook, and have to date raised greater than £1,400 in the direction of their goal.

With the provisional date of Saturday October 24, the pair will go away Kirkhill, cycle by way of Beauly to Muir of Ord for espresso and cake, after which on to Redcastle, over the Kessock Bridge and again to Kirkhill by way of Inverness passing by way of Clachnaharry, Bunchrew and Inchmore.

“At about 31 miles, this will probably be our largest route but,” Mark mentioned.