Brave firefighters tackle dirty cars for Cian
Cian Timpson with his mum Katrin Aldridge and dad Andrew Timpson at the fundraiser for 'Wheels' with fire station members Thomas Maloney, Ian Preston, Danny OKeeffe, Clare Germain and Michael Kelly Photos: Aisling Hyland
AN ONGOING fundraiser for a student at St Lazerian’s Special School in Carlow has raised more than €8,000.
The family of Cian Timpson, who are fundraising for a deposit for a wheelchair-accessible car, called in a great favour recently when the Athy fire service hosted a sponsored car wash.
Katrin Aldridge’s son Cian Timpson (11) has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and is a full-time wheelchair user.
He has epilepsy, is nonverbal and tube-fed and requires round-the-clock care.
“My sister Grace’s partner is a fireman,” said Katrin from Athy, explaining the connection.
“In fairness, that’s not their first fundraiser – they do a lot, those boys, " she added gratefully.
Due to Cian’s medical conditions, he has quite a few important appointments to attend on a regular basis in many different locations.
The car wash raised €900, while the total amount collected to date stands at just over €8,000.
“So, we’re getting there. We’re aiming for €10,000 for a deposit because we expect the car to cost between €30,000 and €40,000. They’re expensive kit, those wheelchair accessible vans,” she smiled.
“One of his favourite things to do is get out and about and go for long drives, it makes him so, so happy and relaxed,” added Katrin.
Thankfully, Cian uses a wheelchair-accessible bus to go to St Lazarian's Special School. “We just need the car for doctor’s appointments as he isn’t able to sit in a normal car, he has to be in the wheelchair,” said Katrin.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up. Visit the link to help out if you can.
