A BUS company has come to the aid of a severely-disabled Isle of Wight boy who used to have a difficult journey to reach Fareham's Rainbow Centre.

Ben Welton, four, who suffers from cerebral palsy, and his mother, Alison, travel daily from Nettlestone to Fareham. They had a tough struggle because Ben is wheelchair-bound and there was rarely a disabled access bus available when they reached Portsmouth.

Their plight was highlighted last year in the Daily Echo.

Alison feared it was only a matter of time before she was unable to lift Ben, his wheelchair and their baggage on a normal bus.

This was particularly upsetting because Alison said the Rainbow Centre for conductive education was their lifeline.

But now their journey is much easier. First Provincial Bus has increased the number of disabled access buses on the route, so now there is never more than a ten-minute wait for mother and son.

They are delighted their two-hour journey has been made much easier.

Said Alison: "This has eased our journey enormously and I would like to thank the bus company. It has made such a huge difference to us."

She said that before Ben attended the centre he was a frustrated little boy, unable to do the simplest of things.

Alison added: "Since we started coming to the centre, Ben has learned to do so much for himself. It has changed our lives. It's hard work for him, but he is so pleased with his achievements. It has made him much more content. He is doing brilliantly. He can now stand and sit unaided."

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