He has lived all of his life with a condition which has affected his mobility. But a caring young boy is preparing to push through his adversity to make sure that those less fortunate will have a smile on their face on Christmas Day.
Eight-year-old Toby Rowlands was born with dyspraxia, which was first detected by his family when he turned three and they spotted that he ran differently during a school sports day event. The condition affects physical coordination and causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities. For Toby, a pupil at Tre Uchaf Primary School, it means he tires after walking long distances.
But the kind-hearted youngster is determined to do something special to help others and is to take on an audacious walking effort to raise money to buy Christmas presents to help families with limited means. He will walk five miles around the Loughor area of Swansea, starting and returning at his house on Saturday, November 26.
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Toby's grandmother Nichola Rowlands said: "Toby is a worrier, he always has been – he worries about other kids and stuff like that. He always tries to do something for those less fortunate than him. Last year he raised more than £500 for Action For Children through walking. And the money he raised through trick or treating and from his pocket money he used to go shopping for SOS Shelters Wales in Gorseinon. He is a really good boy. We're very proud of him.
"He has got dyspraxia, which makes walking quite difficult – not impossible but he tires very easily. We started noticing something was wrong during the nursery sports day when he was around three. When they were all running in a line Toby was running in a sort of semi-circle. Toby has difficulties when it comes to handwriting and it being legible and he does not walk very far because his legs tire and get painful. He can't do regular things like balancing, putting his foot on a ball – he knows what to do but his brain is telling him something else. But he doesn't let it get in his way – he's the best at everything in the world if you ask Tob! He does boxing – he's really good at that, which helps his coordination skills.
"During the walk he will be uncomfortable and struggle a little but it won't be too much for him that he won't be able to complete it. He is a determined child. His bampa, his mum, his dad, and his little sister will be doing the walk with him along with his best friend and people from SOS Shelters. We're looking to raise as much money as possible to buy as much as possible and we're on £632 so far. Toby is going to go Christmas shopping and then the SOS team are going to help wrap everything and give it all out to whoever needs it."
If you'd like to donate money towards Toby's fundraiser you can contact Ms Rowlands via her Facebook page by clicking here.
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