A DOTING Dunfermline uncle decided to tackle a 126 mile cycle ride as a thank-you to the High Valleyfield Child Development Centre – but he doesn’t own a bike!

Luckily help is at hand for Paul McGiffen (31) who will pedal the Fife Coastal Path from Tayport to Valleyfield in aid of the centre, which his nephew, Charlie Wills, attended for 18 months.

He’s aiming to set off at first light and complete the one-day cycle on Thursday 16th April – an extra-special date as it will be Charlie’s fifth birthday.

Paul laughed, “I’m not a keen cyclist – I don’t even have a bike and one of my friends got me a bike to do the cycle with!

“I’ve been going out and training on a stationary bike, sitting in front of the telly and cycling!” Charlie was diagnosed with global developmental delay at around 15 months, but thanks to the support he received at the centre, his family has seen him blossom.

Paul (pictured right with Charlie), a wholeship assembly manager with Babcock, said, “This cycle is just to give a bit back.

“When I found out the centre was actually trying to raise money for a sensory room, that was my motivation.

“Charlie was there for 18 months and I saw a big difference in what the centre did for him.

“He came on in leaps and bounds. Before he started, he didn’t really speak and just made sounds, but he actually knows some sign language now that they taught him.

“He became friendly with other kids there – some of them are severely disabled and in wheelchairs – and he’s become more outgoing.” Paul will be taking on the challenge with two friends, Gordon Brennan and Kevin Patterson, and has already raised more than £1000.

Charlie’s mum Jacqueline McGiffen praised the centre for their work with her son and said, “I wasn’t initially concerned about Charlie because each child develops differently.

“But he had been having difficulties since his 12-week check-up. His head was always falling to one side and he couldn’t sit up properly.

“He didn’t babble like any normal child, or crawl, and wasn’t reaching his milestones – when you spoke to him, he just wasn’t focusing.

“He couldn’t turn and couldn’t lift his legs or arms. He had his second birthday before he was able to walk.” Doctors initially thought Charlie had “floppy baby syndrome” and he underwent multiple tests before he was finally diagnosed.

Jacqueline said, “I was devastated but also glad that we could put a name to it so we knew what we were dealing with.” Charlie was referred to the centre, where he’s been taught playing, communication and coordination skills, and now attends Pitcorthie Playgroup.

Jacqueline said, “There’s been such an improvement in him. He’s more stable on his feet. His communication has improved but not to the point where he starts speaking. He has more eye contact and can indicate, he’s more involved and shows more interest in what’s going on.

“I appreciate so much the work the centre has done not just for Charlie but other kids. It’s such a welcoming environment and the staff are brilliant.” For more information or to donate, call Paul or Jacqueline on 07596 724812.