A CHRISTCHURCH charity’s generous donation has made playtime for a youngster at Victoria Education Centre more fun.

Six-year-old Saad Elkholy, a full-time pupil at the Poole school, is now able to move around his classroom thanks to a new walker purchased by The Cicely Foundation.

The youngster, described by staff as “happy, bright and full of life and fun”, has cerebral palsy, which leads to difficulty in controlling his muscles and body movements, which is likely to change as he grows and develops.

Saad is able to communicate using signs and symbols and facial expressions to show his emotions but his movement problems mean he cannot sit, stand or walk without assistance and he is reliant on help from an adult for most activities.

Jo Stringer, senior physiotherapist at Victoria Education Centre said: “Saad receives regular physiotherapy at the school to help reach his full potential and become more independent.

“The Cicely Foundation kindly donated the money to buy him a buddy roamer walker.

“Costing over £2,000 it will give him the freedom to mobilise independently and because it is specifically for him, it will be able to go home allowing Saad to practice walking more frequently.

“Unfortunately funding for such equipment is reliant on charity donations and sadly we always have children waiting for equipment to help them in daily activities which we take for granted.”

Maureen Cliffen, one of the co-founders of the charity, recently visited the school to see Saad using the buddy roamer walker.

Jo added: “Once helped into the mobility aid he set off at great speed by himself to the school hall for playtime.

“Mischievously he went and hid because with the walker he could without any help from an adult.”