A GROUP of five cyclists have raised more than £3,500 to buy a young girl with cerebral palsy a specialised bike.

Family of friends of Eva Shone, four, who cannot walk or talk, cycled 67 miles from Bussage to Weston Super Mare on June 13 to raise sponsorship money.

Their amazing efforts bought young Eva a specially designed tomcat trike for her fourth birthday, allowing her to join in bike rides with her family.

At a young age Eva, who goes to St Roses School in Stroud, was diagnosed with severely delayed development and four limb cerebral palsy, meaning she can’t sit up or walk.

Her mother Adrienne explained that despite her disability Eva can smile and laugh, and that the family wanted nothing more for Eva to enjoy riding with her three siblings Amy, Jake and Rory.

Determined to raise the money to raise the money required to purchase the specialised trike, the family set up a gogetfunding account and began fundraising.

Cycling the gruelling 58 miles for Eva were her father, John Shone, her two uncles Chris White and Paul Shone, and family friends Vicky Fudge and her nine-year-old son Callum.

Eva’s brother and sister Jake, six, and Amy, seven, also joined in for the last five miles of the ride.

John Shone, Eva’ father, said he was overwhelmed with the support that had been shown after they’d set up the online fundraising page.

“We never expected to raise so much money for our appeal, people were amazingly generous. We had friends, family, people we’d met once or twice and even complete strangers donating.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in our bike ride, and to everyone who donated.

“It was a fantastic day, our superstar rider Callum managed to ride over 50 miles with us at the age of nine, it was a great effort.

John explained that the new trike, which is due to be delivered this week, is especially designed for Eva, giving her the right postural support and the ability to pedal on her own.

“She loves the freedom of movement and the bike will allow her to take part in bike rides with the family and also help strengthen her legs.

“She’s tried the bikes before and absolutely loved them, so it will great for us all to go out together.”

He said that as the fundraising page had exceeded it mark of £3,000, they would be setting up a savings account for Eva for future needs, as well as making a donation to the Paternoster Special School in Cirencester where she will be starting in September.

Vicky Fudge from Leonard Stanley provides respite care for Eva and was one of the cyclists to complete the full 67 miles.

“It was a great effort from everyone involved. I’m especially proud of my son Callum, who was able to raise £250 towards the total on his own,” she said.

“I’ve shown Eva’s family for years now - she is a lovely child with a great sense of humour. I’m so happy we could make her birthday so special.”

To read more about Eva's story visit: gogetfunding.com/trike-for-eva