Digby rides again.....thanks to Halfords (From Redditch Advertiser)

Digby rides again.....thanks to Halfords

12:10pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

 

WHEN little Digby Davis, from Redditch, helped Halfords design a bike, he never dreamed it would be named after him, let alone teach him to walk again.

Earlier this year, Digby, aged two, was on Halfords children’s panel, helping the retailer choose frame colours, names and matching accessories for its Apollo kids range.

Digby’s love of diggers helped inspire designers to create a yellow cycle, with a picture of an earth-mover and workman on the chain-guard and bespoke tool box on the back. So it seemed fitting that they decided to name the bike the Apollo “Digby”.

His parents ordered him one of the bikes, but soon after, Digby had an horrific fall.

Mum Jenny said: “We were having a normal day in the park when Digby collided with our dog. Digby was in so much pain it was horrendous.

“We got to hospital and an X-ray revealed it was a twisted leg fracture and he spent the next eight days in traction. He then had a spica cast fitted, which goes from the chest down half one leg and fully encases the broken one.

“We brought him home and he was completely immobile – he couldn’t even crawl.

“The consultant recommended he try pedalling on a bike to strengthen his leg and help teach him to walk again. The “Digby” had been delivered days before his cast came off but we hadn’t told him because we didn’t want him to be upset that he couldn’t ride it.”

Even though Digby couldn’t stand, as soon as they put him on his new bike, fitted with stabilisers, he was able to pedal around the house.

Dad Carl said: “The weird thing was that he could ride around the lounge, because we have hard floors and its open plan, before he could even stand or walk again.

“He was so excited when he saw the bike he couldn’t wait to ride it so we had to let him do it indoors. With the bike supporting his weight and stabilisers helping him balance his legs got stronger each day. Then, just over a week later, he got off his bike and walked again. It wasn’t long before he was running around like normal."

The new range of Apollo kids bikes for three-seven year olds are in stores from this month. Prices range from £39.99-£109.99.