Boy, 10, with cerebral palsy does 26 laps of his garden to give back to charity – St Helens Star

A 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy has walked 26 laps of his house and garden to thank a charity that gave him his best friend and pet, his dog Waldo.

When he was born, Lewis Hemingway from Newton-le-Willows was starved of oxygen during his birth, resulting in him having cerebral palsy and struggling to walk.

He had an operation on his spine in Alder Hey Children's Hospital to help rewire the nerves in his legs but has been doing physio therapy with his walker to practice his walking.

However the Billinge St Aidan's was inspired by others doing the 2.6 challenge. Lewis decided to take on his own task and over four days he did 26 laps of his house and garden for Dogs for Good.

Dogs for Good are a charity close to Lewis' heart after they gifted him a service dog called Waldo, who not only is Lewis' companion and pet but also helps him with everyday tasks.

This includes getting dressed, picking up things he drops more.

Lewis' proud mum Diane, 46, said: "We are really proud of Lewis for taking this on, he is a very strong boy but this really incentivised him to do his physio while also doing this challenge.

"He founds it really, really challenging, walking is very difficult for him.

"So for him to take this on for others is just amazing.

"Everyone has been really supportive which really spurred him on too.

"In the end he raised 1,352 which is incredible because we only aimed to raise the 200 needed to train a dog, but now so many more people and families like ours will benefit because of what he has done.

"Waldo did it with him of course, so it is just really special.

"Every child with a disability should have access to an assistance dog like Waldo, the amount of help and comfort he has given to Lewis since Dogs for Good gave him to us in 2016 is just amazing.

"Now others will have that opportunity too thanks to Lewis.

"We are immensely proud of him."

n For more information on Dogs for Good go to dogsforgood.org/

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Boy, 10, with cerebral palsy does 26 laps of his garden to give back to charity - St Helens Star