Little Doncaster youngster can hit the road after having new car seat fitted

A little boy with autism can hit the road again after receiving a specialist car seat that will help him to get out more with his family.
Freddie Duty and his mum Evonne.Freddie Duty and his mum Evonne.
Freddie Duty and his mum Evonne.

Freddie Duty, aged five, of Mexborough, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and requires constant supervision as he has a lack of social awareness and no sense of danger.

Due to a lack of a suitable seat, travelling by car became a stressful experience for Freddie and his family resigned themselves to spending more time at home.

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But now the school boy, who attends Saint Alban’s Catholic Primary School in Denaby Main, has received a specialist car seat from a charity that will allow him to go out more.

Mum Evonne said because Freddie is tall for his age, normal car seats were deemed unsuitable and the family faced a challenge to find a specialist seat that matched his needs.

She said: “When he becomes restless he can climb out of a normal car seat, due to his size.

“He also likes snug and comforting surroundings and the standard seats are just too small to give him this environment.”

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Evonne and her husband, Dean, subsequently decided to look at buying a specialist seat for their son.

However, Evonne was staggered when she discovered the cost.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was told that the seat that Freddie needed was £650.

“It was way out of our budget and we resigned ourselves to spending more time at home.”

But now thanks to Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, Freddie is set to hit the road again.

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Evonne said: “The charity gave us the fundraising support that we needed to buy the chair.

“It’s fantastic and Freddie loves it.

“When we went to look at it Freddie climbed in without any fuss.

“It’s got a high adjustable head support, which keeps him relaxed, a five point safety harness, which clips between the chest pads and prevents him from escaping, and deep, softly padded side wings for maximum comfort. We can’t thank the charity enough for their support.”

Caudwell Children offers help to the 400,000 families across the UK with disabled children that are living in or on the margins of poverty.

* To donate visit the charity’s website at Caudwell Children Just giving Page