Sheffield teenager takes on walking challenge to raise money for new minibus at specialist school

Max Burgar-Briggs, aged 13, of Wisewood, is hoping to walk 150 miles in July to raise vital funds for Talbot Specialist School in Norton Lees.

Born 16 weeks premature and a surviving quadruplet, Max has right side hemiplegia, meaning the right side of his body is affected by cerebral palsy, along with Addison’s disease for which he takes daily steroids.

Due to his condition Max cannot walk long distances and becomes tired very easily, therefore the walking challenge will be hard – but he is determined to complete it for the sake of his school.

Talbot Specialist School caters for students with special educational and physical disabilities, from Year 7 throught to Year 14.

They offer pupils as many opportunities as they can be participate in a wide range of activities, with many taking place off site.

The current bus, which is old and deteriorating, is used daily to take children with severe and complex learning difficulties on trips and to sporting activities, but costs are increasing for its repairs and maintenance and is not financially viable anymore

The school are trying to raise £16,000 for a new, larger bus that will enable a full class to travel together on outings and will also come with a full tail lift allowing any wheelchair users to attend the visits too.

Currently, just over half of the funds have been raised.

Having originally set a target of £200, Max and his family have been amazed at the generosity from members of the public.

Max, who will start in Year 9 in September, has managed to raise over £2,000 so far and said he is determined to complete the challenge, raising as much as he can.

His mum said: “If you spend an hour with these kids you realise just how important it is for the children to have the opportunities having the bus brings.

“Max will be taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh next year, and he knows he can’t do that without the bus. He just wants to keep going with the fundraising until they have enough. We’ve got three dogs and walk a lot as a family so I believe he can do it.”

You can donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maxi