Trike puts a smile on Liam's dial

When Albany boy Liam Smith puts on his helmet and tears out of the family garage on his new custom-built red trike, there is no hiding his beaming smile.

Liam, 8, who was born with congenital defects — meaning he suffers from muscle weakness, autism, global development delay, growth and sleep hormone deficiencies, asthma and epilepsy and needs round-the-clock care — received the $2300 trike thanks to generous donations.

Albany City Rotary Club donated $1000 on behalf of the Albert van Eyk Trust to purchase the bike, while the Barrows Foundation donated $800 and family friend Xaiyon Talty donated $642.

Liam’s mother Sara said the new trike meant the youngster was now able to ride with his brother Owen and sister Alyssa.

“We got little bits and pieces from different bikes and constructed this bike, which is more suitable for Liam and his needs,” she said.

“It helps him to be able to have that strength and ability to ride his own bike.

“We can now go riding as a family, and it gives him that little bit of independence.”

Albert van Eyk Trust trustee John Coggon said he was happy to see the donation put to good use.

“It is to help people with disabilities to achieve what they want to in life, in this case, a child enjoying his life a little bit more,” he said.

“He looks very happy on it.”

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