A CHANCE meeting last Christmas has helped give pupils of Dee Banks School in Chester some extra special pedal power.

Ledsham fundraiser Jenny Peckmore met children and staff from the Sandy Lane special school during a Yuletide shopping spree last December in The Coliseum in Cheshire Oaks.

Following a conversation with teachers Helen Buckley and Ros Larkins, Jenny decided to raise funds for the school.

After nine months of relentless fundraising, including cheese and wine evenings, a raffle and sponsored bike rides, Jenny raised £4,500 to buy a Velo Plus wheelchair bicycle for the children.

She visited the school last week to watch director of suppliers Ashfield Special Needs Dave Cumming present the bike to pupil Kennedy Rowley.

She then had the chance to try out the new bike on the Dee Banks bike track.

Ros Larkins said: “Jenny and her sister Glenys said they were a bit overwhelmed by the situation and Jenny even said she was ‘gob-smacked!’

“Everyone took turns to be ridden around and feel the wind in their hair and it was hard to tell who was enjoying the new experience most – staff or students!”

Ros and Helen and all the staff expressed heartfelt thanks to Jenny and explained that her efforts meant the students in their class, who are all wheelchair users, will now be able to enjoy the bike track alongside their peers.