Maghull pub regulars help youngster suffering from cerebral palsy

May 21 2009 by Vicky Anderson, Maghull and Aintree Star

Mum overwhelmed by support for Erin

A GRATEFUL mum has been overwhelmed with support in raising funds for her disabled daughter.

A sponsored walk is being held on Sunday to help four-year-old Erin Bridges, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Regulars from the Great Mogul pub on Station Road, Maghull, are hoping to raise enough money to provide specialist equipment for Erin to get around her home and garden.

Her mum Val said: “I was really taken aback by how kind people are, and to think just how lovely they have been.

“Erin does have needs, so we are going to get bars and a ramp around the garden.

“She loves the garden and it will help her do more walking, which she needs to do before she starts school.”

The group will walk from the pub to the Ship Inn in Haskayne, before returning along the canal for a karaoke disco fundraiser back at the ranch.

The pub wanted to help the family after hearing that she will be classmates with Ryan Noble and Alex Connerty, two youngsters they have raised money for in previous years.

Mogul regular and member of the sponsored walkers Bernie O’Connell, said: “We’ve been doing this walk for a number of years now and we’ve done it for various charities over the years.

“We’ve always found we’ve had a bigger response if we choose to help a local child. It’s always a fun day and people in the pub are always very generous.”

Erin, who turned four this week, was born 13 weeks prematurely.

She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 19 months old and is undergoing regular physiotherapy to help her learn to walk.