Grateful dad on his bike for charity

Next month, Martin O’Neill will undertake a 400 mile solo cyclefor Bobath Scotland.

He is hoping to raise at least £18,000 pounds (£1,000 for every year of his son’s life) in the process.

Martin’s son Dominic was born 14 weeks premature in February 1993, and suffered a bleed after three days which resulted in his cerebral palsy.

Ever since, Martin and his wife Claire have been integral in the setting up and growth of Bobath Scotland — a charity devoted to improving the quality of life for children, and now also adults, with cerebral palsy.

The cycle, which Martin aims to complete in five days, will be from Bobath Scotland to Bobath Wales.

Therapists at Bobath Scotland — of which Claire and Martin are founding parents — were the first to detect Dominic’s perception and ability to converse through eye contact.

That’s only one of the wonders that Bobath Scotland has helped Dominic to achieve.

As Bobath board member and secretary school teacher Martin has played a major role in helping the charity to identify a new therapy centre.

He told The Extra: “I’ve set a ridiculously high target, but if I don’t aim high then I might get nowhere near it.

“I’m particularly looking for any southside businesses who may be willing to sponsor me, or donations from kindhearted individuals

“Bobath Scotland has given families strength to believe in their ability to effect real and lasting change for children like Dominic.”