A CULCHETH boy with cerebral palsy is boosting his skills and strength by skiing trips partly funded by a local charity.
Four years ago Samuel Kletz, 12, went on a ski course to Austria with the help of a grant of about £500 from Culcheth Educational Trust – which offers small grants for educational purposes to individuals living in the village.
In February, he received a further £250 grant from the charity, to make a second trip to Schladming in Austria to improve his skills.
His parents Robert and Miriam, of Bent Lane, went on the trip with him – and his sister went on a school skiing trip to a different resort.
Samuel, a pupil of Birchwood High School, went on his first ski course in Austria with the Uphill Ski Club – now called Disability Snowsport UK.
Robert said: “Samuel did very well on that course. He did so well, in fact, that the following year we went on an ordinary holiday, thinking he would be fine -but he lost his nerve.”
About 18 months ago Samuel had an operation to lengthen the tendons in his leg and had a bone graft in his ankle. He recovered well and had skiing lessons with Disability Snowsport in Manchester.
Robert said: “We considered consolidating what he learned with another foreign trip with Disability Snowsport but they were expensive.”
The family found an independent adaptive ski school in Austria, and arranged a private holiday for February half term.
“Of course, with the appalling value of the pound these days, the cost of the holiday proved to be equally appalling,” said Robert.
The family contacted Culcheth Education Trust and it helped with a second donation, meaning the family could afford the trip “without too much scrimping.”
Miriam said Samuel enjoyed his recent trip to Schladming and the family is “really grateful” to the trust.
She said: “The trip was absolutely brilliant and Samuel has made excellent progress. He can now ski with us.
“Skiing is good for his personal development, co-ordination, balance and stamina.”
