BMX rider gifts Uppingham boy a bike

A visit from a BMX biker inspired a Rutland child with autism to learn to ride a bike.

After meeting YouTuber Jak Tones at Uppingham Skate Park in April, 11-year-old Joshua Burgess decided a cycling career was for him.

Despite never having ridden a bike Joshua didn’t let that stop him and dedicated summer to learning the new skill.

Joshua’s mum Jennifer said: “At this time Joshua was unable to ride a bike and seeing all of Jak’s videos spurred him on to learn to ride using his older brother Charlie’s hand-me-down BMX.

He mastered it over the summer with the help of his classmates and friends at the park.”

Jak told his Instagram followers about Joshua who has autism, sensory processing and global developmental delay. It was seen by Terminal 1 Skatepark in Melton who then gifted him his own BMX.

Jak travelled to Uppingham last weekend to present it to Joshua who described it as ‘the best day ever’.

Jennifer said: “We cannot thank them enough. Things like riding a bike don’t come easy for Joshua but his determination paid off and he’s doing so well.”