Family and friends of a disabled teenager are to join hundreds of bikers for a charity ride to raise money for the children’s hospice which supports him.
Fourteen year-old Logan Chadbone and his family have been supported by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) since he was a baby.
When mum Liz fell pregnant with Logan – her first child – she enjoyed a normal pregnancy. It was not until Logan was born and started having seizures it was discovered that he had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a catastrophic bleed in his brain – while in the womb.
“We didn’t know anything was wrong and we had no idea Logan would have any problems,” said Liz.
“When he was born he was having seizures and spent three weeks in the neo natal unit where he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.”
When Liz and his dad Chad took Logan home, he struggled to feed and it was later discovered he had no suck or swallow reflex and a feeding tube was fitted.
He also has a tracheostomy and is registered blind.
Logan, who needs round the clock care, cannot move independently and uses a wheelchair is get around.
“Logan is fully dependent on other people in all aspects of his life,” said Liz. “He needs 24 hour waking care and someone always has to be with him.”
Over the years Logan has been admitted to hospital several times, each time defying the odds.
“Last winter he was in hospital for three months with septicaemia and a respiratory bug.
While in hospital he was diagnosed with pancreatitis and a hole in his bowel. “They didn’t think he would pull through,” said Liz, a former teacher. But he is so stubborn he had different ideas. He doesn’t play by anyone’s rule book and has this amazing ability to bounce back.”
Logan was first referred to Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm when he was a baby.
Liz said: “Children’s Hospice South West and the staff at Charlton Farm have been on this entire journey with us.
“The team has always been there to support us in making decisions, planning Logan’s care and supporting us in his symptom management.
“Knowing they are always there for us is so important.”
Logan’s stays at Charlton Farm enables Liz to spend time with her other two children Jude, 10 and Tabitha, 8.
“It gives me that time to focus on Jude and Tabitha,” said Liz, 42. “It means we can go out and do the things we struggle to involve Logan with, such as trips to the theatre and days out.
“Knowing that Logan is so well cared for at Charlton Farm allows me to concentrate on giving his siblings that one to one time.”
Logan is looking forward to watching hundreds of bikers – including his dad Chad – ride from Winterbourne to Charlton Farm on December 7 for the annual Santas on a Bike.
The event, which sees around 900 bikers from across the UK and West Country ride from Bristol to Wraxall raises thousands of pounds for Children’s Hospice South West each December.
“Logan loves Santas on a Bike,” said Liz. “The family will be standing on the gate again this year as Logan loves watching and listening to all the engines roar.
“It’s such a fabulous event, raising money for an incredible charity helping families like ours and for many really signals the start of Christmas.”
This year will be the 21 st anniversary of Santas on a Bike. Riders will meet at Winterbourne Academy at 10.30am before setting off at 1pm to make their way along Bradley Stoke Way and along the A38 to the city centre, Park Street and the Cumberland Basin before heading to Charlton Farm.
Riders, all dressed in festive costumes, also dress up their bikes with tinsel and lights and carry collecting buckets along the route.
Organiser Dave Sanders, who will be taking part on his Yamaha FJR 1300, said: “It’s a fabulous event and it’s incredible what riders decorate their bikes with.
“As they go along, there are stops for people to make donations with collection buckets attached to the bike or being carried by pillion passengers.”
The ride ends at Charlton Farm where the army of bikers are refreshed with hot drinks, and of course, cake. The prize raffle is also drawn at Charlton Farm.
“The support from volunteers and the biking community is inspiring with incredible atmosphere at all the Santa’s on a Bike events,” said Dave.
Santas on a Bike was started by Paul Wren and a group of friends, initially starting off as a toy run for a local children’s home and a charity fundraiser.
The first ride saw 665 presents donated along with £200 cash. The event has grown in size and popularity over the years and along with Charlton Farm, there are also ride outs at CHSW’s Little Harbour Hospice in Cornwall and Little Bridge House in Barnstaple.
For more information and to get involved visit www.santas ona bike.org.uk or check out Santas on a Bike on Facebook.